Power And Conflict Poetry - Kamikaze Flashcards
Who wrote Kamikaze?
Beatrice Garland
What is the structure?
Tight control of 7 stanzas which are 6 lines long - military control
Free verse represents need for freedom
What is the big idea?
The real conflict is between the rules of society, honour and the will to survive. Either way the character dies, in the eyes of the family if not in body. The poem explores the futility of trying to avoid fate and destiny.
Her father embarked at sunrise
Image of Japan as the land of the rising sun - culture
a samurai sword
in the cockpit, a shaven head
Listing creates intimacy between character and reader
incantations
Propaganda - his belief
she thought
The daughter is thinking of his reasons for not continuing
little fishing boats
strung out like bunting
on a green-blue translucent sea
Natural imagery reflects the power of nature
Simile emphasises beauty of nature
Enjambment
like a huge flag waved first one way and
then the other in a figure of eight
Power of nature
Nature is powerful and infinite
Links to military and journey
the dark shoals of fish
flashing silver as their bellies
swivelled towards the sun
Enjambment
Sibilance
Draws out infinite power of nature
built cairns of pearl-grey pebbles
Fathers memory of nature forced his decision to turn back
turbulent inrush of breakers
bringing their fathers boat safe
Fish represent the people like the pilot who are caught in the net of society’s expectations
Her father is fated just like the fish who will eventually be caught
- yes, grandfathers boat
Aside, speaking to the next generation
Cloud-marked mackerel,
Black crabs, feathery prawns
Listing - dark and dangerous
Nature has more power
he
Pronoun, nameless, shamed
