Kamikaze

• Who is the author of the poem "Kamikaze"?

  Beatrice Garland
• What cultural expectations are discussed in the poem regarding the father's return home?


  He was shunned by his family due to cultural expectations in Japan.
• What does the daughter recount in the poem "Kamikaze"?

  • The journey of her father as a kamikaze pilot
  • The items he took with him
  • His memories of childhood
  • The rejection he faced upon returning home
• What symbols are used in the poem to represent the father's experience?


  The fishing boats and shoals of fish symbolize his connection to nature and life.
• What does the "figure of eight" symbolize in the poem?


  It symbolizes infinity and the eternal nature of life compared to humanity's transience.
• What does the father carry with him on his mission?

  A flask of water, a samurai sword, and enough fuel for a one-way journey.
• What are the main conflicts explored in the poem "Kamikaze"?

  • Conflict between individuals and societal expectations
  • Conflict within families due to societal pressure
  • Conflict between nature and man
• How does the structure of the poem reflect its themes?


  • Tightly controlled stanza lengths reflect order and obedience.
  • Free verse and enjambment suggest individuality and desire for freedom.
• What does the speaker's shift in narrative perspective indicate in the poem?


  It highlights her personal experience of loss and the effects of war on families.
• What does the poem imply about the father's choice to reject his kamikaze mission?


  His choice signifies a rejection of societal expectations and a desire to live for his family.
• How does the imagery of nature in the poem contrast with the themes of war and death?


  Nature is depicted as beautiful and eternal, contrasting with the transience of human life and war.
• What is the historical context of the poem "Kamikaze"?

  It is set against the backdrop of WWII and the conflict involving kamikaze pilots.
• How does the poem "Kamikaze" convey the theme of beauty in nature?


  It contrasts the beauty of nature with the harsh realities of war and death.
• What is the significance of the father's samurai sword in the poem?


  It symbolizes his connection to Japanese culture and the warrior ethos.
• How does the poem "Kamikaze" explore the theme of identity?


  It examines how societal roles and expectations shape personal identity and choices.
• What does the imagery of "pearl-grey pebbles" represent in the poem?


  It symbolizes the father's memories and the weight of loss and remembrance.
• What is the structure of the poem "Kamikaze"?


  The poem is structured into tightly controlled stanzas of 6 lines.
• How does the structure of "Kamikaze" contrast with its use of free verse and enjambment?


  The structure is juxtaposed and undermined by free verse and enjambment.
• What is enjambment in poetry?


  Enjambment is a sentence that runs over multiple lines.
• What does the last word "die" signify in the poem "Kamikaze"?


  It creates a sense of futility and inevitable fate for the soldier.
• What does the shift in narrative perspective from third person to first person signify in "Kamikaze"?


  It signifies a dramatic shift from external to internal, showing the impact of war.
• What does the final line of "Kamikaze" suggest about the speaker's feelings towards her father?


  It suggests she is detached from the culture that gave him the option of dying as a Kamikaze pilot.
• What does the metaphor of the fish as a "dark prince" signify in "Kamikaze"?


  It signifies the importance and respect deserving of both nature and soldiers.
• What are the similarities between "Kamikaze" and "Poppies"?


  • Both convey the grave impact of war on civilians.
  • Both display characters processing memories related to conflict.
  • Both offer non-conventional perspectives of war.
• What are the differences between "Kamikaze" and "Poppies"?


  • "Kamikaze" deals with loss of a father due to cultural rejection, while "Poppies" deals with the physical loss of a son.
  • "Kamikaze" presents conflict with culture, while "Poppies" shows conflict with war.
• What are the similarities between "Kamikaze" and "Checking Out Me History"?


  • Both express the importance of history and origins in forming identity.
  • Both highlight the impact of cultural conflict on personal identity.
• Shaven head full of powerful incantations?


  "Shaven head" - links to dedication and new life"Incantations" - Links to propaganda, the young men thought they were heroes, representing their county with honor, but they were being indoctrinated.
• Green blue translucent sea?

  Positive imagery from the semantic field of colour, shows how the pilot was reminded how amazing life is. Was a factor that made him turn around and change his mind
• Dark shoal of fishes flashing silver as their bellies swivelled towards the sun'?


  the fish represent freedom and contrast how the pilot has only enough fuel to get there. They can represent how every cloud has a silver lining and if he is in a dark place, there will always be something good on the horizon. The sun represents warmth and hope, light imagery.
• "Safe"?

  As a child, he remembers playing with his brothers and waiting for his father to return home "safe". It is a contrast to the mission as he realises he will not be returning home.
• "Never spoke again" "As though he no longer existed"?

  Adverb of frequency "never" shows that there was no chance, and emphasises how the pilot became an outcast to society after becoming a coward for not completing the mission. It seems harsh, however, shows that it is not only the Japanese pilots that are affected by the "powerful incantations". The power of society is shown when the children (innocent) learn to ignore the father. His family and friends ostracised him.
• "The better way to die"?


  Suggests that he considered dying 'for his country' would of been better than 'living dad' where he is seen as an outcast to society and is ignored for the rest of his life.
• Can be compared to :

  Poppies (memory, conflict, war)Tissue (abuse of power, power of humans to change destiny)Exposure (powerlessness, moral dilemas)