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studywithkitty
05/12/2025
English Literature
Kamikaze and Emigree Essay 24/30
569
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5 Dec 2025
•
studywithkitty
@studywithkitty
Comparing "Kamikaze" and "Emigree" reveals how both poems explore identity,... Show more
Both "Kamikaze" and "Emigree" showcase individuals whose identities are shaped by conflict and societal expectations. In "Kamikaze," we meet a Japanese pilot during World War II who was expected to complete a suicide mission—"a one-way journey into history." His identity has been predetermined, but he ultimately chooses to change his fate.
Similarly, in "Emigree," a female emigrant faces a society that tries to control her identity. When she states "my child's vocabulary may now be a lie, banned by the state," we see evidence of censorship attempting to rewrite who she is. Yet she resists, declaring she "can't get it off my tongue" and that her city "takes me dancing through the city of walls"—with dancing symbolising freedom and defiance.
The historical contexts create powerful backdrops in both poems. "Kamikaze" contains subtle references to WWII, like "little fishing boats strung out like bunting"—where bunting suggests victory celebrations after Japan's defeat. "Emigree" describes a homeland "sick with tyrants" and "at war," possibly referencing Eastern Europe under Soviet communist control during the Cold War.
Think deeper: Notice how both poets never explicitly name the conflicts they reference, instead using imagery and suggestion. Why might they choose this approach rather than being specific?
The power of memory shapes how both characters view their changing worlds. In "Kamikaze," natural imagery triggers the pilot's change of heart. Descriptions of "little fishing boats" create a sense of innocence and remind him of childhood memories—building pebble piles while waiting for his father's boat. The detailed description of "a tuna, the dark prince, muscular and dangerous" carries possible connotations of death, making him reconsider his mission.
In "Emigree," childhood memories serve a different purpose. The speaker acknowledges her memories may be idealised rather than realistic. Her "child's vocabulary" suggests an innocent, perhaps narrow worldview that "tastes of sunlight." The image of a "hollow doll" (possibly referencing Russian nesting dolls) implies these memories might be empty or incomplete.
The speaker in "Emigree" maintains an unwavering positive view despite acknowledging potential threats. She describes her relationship with her city in maternal terms: "I comb its hair and love its shining eyes," suggesting she nurtures these memories like a precious child. This contrasts with "Kamikaze," where nature changes the pilot's perspective dramatically.
Language tip: Both poets use recurring motifs to develop their themes. In "Emigree," "sunlight" appears repeatedly to symbolise hope against darkness, while in "Kamikaze," images of the sea represent both freedom and danger.
The poems' structures reflect their themes in interesting ways. Both use free verse, but to different effects. In "Emigree," flowing enjambment creates a sense of freedom, while in "Kamikaze," the free verse creates a more rigid structure that mirrors military control. "Kamikaze" uses six stanzas to tell the pilot's story, while "Emigree" needs only three stanzas to present the speaker's memories.
The resolution in "Kamikaze" is deeply tragic. When the pilot returns home, rejecting his suicide mission, he loses his identity twice over—first as a pilot, then as a father. His family's reaction is devastating: "my mother never spoke again in his presence" and "this was no longer the father we loved." The final line delivers a powerful conclusion: "He must have wondered what had been the better way to die," suggesting he faces an emotional death perhaps worse than physical sacrifice.
Conversely, the speaker in "Emigree" maintains her identity despite external pressure. Though "they accuse me, they circle me" suggests threat and persecution, she remains steadfast in her positive view of her homeland. She has been "branded with an impression of sunlight"—the word "branded" suggesting her identity is permanent and cannot be erased, regardless of how her country has changed.
Exam tip: When comparing these poems, focus on how both characters respond differently to external pressures trying to shape their identities. The pilot ultimately changes but faces rejection, while the emigree refuses to change her perspective despite acknowledging reality.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
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Samantha Klich
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Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
studywithkitty
@studywithkitty
Comparing "Kamikaze" and "Emigree" reveals how both poems explore identity, change, and resistance to societal expectations during times of conflict. These poems present characters who face difficult choices about who they are against the backdrop of war and political upheaval.
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Both "Kamikaze" and "Emigree" showcase individuals whose identities are shaped by conflict and societal expectations. In "Kamikaze," we meet a Japanese pilot during World War II who was expected to complete a suicide mission—"a one-way journey into history." His identity has been predetermined, but he ultimately chooses to change his fate.
Similarly, in "Emigree," a female emigrant faces a society that tries to control her identity. When she states "my child's vocabulary may now be a lie, banned by the state," we see evidence of censorship attempting to rewrite who she is. Yet she resists, declaring she "can't get it off my tongue" and that her city "takes me dancing through the city of walls"—with dancing symbolising freedom and defiance.
The historical contexts create powerful backdrops in both poems. "Kamikaze" contains subtle references to WWII, like "little fishing boats strung out like bunting"—where bunting suggests victory celebrations after Japan's defeat. "Emigree" describes a homeland "sick with tyrants" and "at war," possibly referencing Eastern Europe under Soviet communist control during the Cold War.
Think deeper: Notice how both poets never explicitly name the conflicts they reference, instead using imagery and suggestion. Why might they choose this approach rather than being specific?
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Join milions of students
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The power of memory shapes how both characters view their changing worlds. In "Kamikaze," natural imagery triggers the pilot's change of heart. Descriptions of "little fishing boats" create a sense of innocence and remind him of childhood memories—building pebble piles while waiting for his father's boat. The detailed description of "a tuna, the dark prince, muscular and dangerous" carries possible connotations of death, making him reconsider his mission.
In "Emigree," childhood memories serve a different purpose. The speaker acknowledges her memories may be idealised rather than realistic. Her "child's vocabulary" suggests an innocent, perhaps narrow worldview that "tastes of sunlight." The image of a "hollow doll" (possibly referencing Russian nesting dolls) implies these memories might be empty or incomplete.
The speaker in "Emigree" maintains an unwavering positive view despite acknowledging potential threats. She describes her relationship with her city in maternal terms: "I comb its hair and love its shining eyes," suggesting she nurtures these memories like a precious child. This contrasts with "Kamikaze," where nature changes the pilot's perspective dramatically.
Language tip: Both poets use recurring motifs to develop their themes. In "Emigree," "sunlight" appears repeatedly to symbolise hope against darkness, while in "Kamikaze," images of the sea represent both freedom and danger.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The poems' structures reflect their themes in interesting ways. Both use free verse, but to different effects. In "Emigree," flowing enjambment creates a sense of freedom, while in "Kamikaze," the free verse creates a more rigid structure that mirrors military control. "Kamikaze" uses six stanzas to tell the pilot's story, while "Emigree" needs only three stanzas to present the speaker's memories.
The resolution in "Kamikaze" is deeply tragic. When the pilot returns home, rejecting his suicide mission, he loses his identity twice over—first as a pilot, then as a father. His family's reaction is devastating: "my mother never spoke again in his presence" and "this was no longer the father we loved." The final line delivers a powerful conclusion: "He must have wondered what had been the better way to die," suggesting he faces an emotional death perhaps worse than physical sacrifice.
Conversely, the speaker in "Emigree" maintains her identity despite external pressure. Though "they accuse me, they circle me" suggests threat and persecution, she remains steadfast in her positive view of her homeland. She has been "branded with an impression of sunlight"—the word "branded" suggesting her identity is permanent and cannot be erased, regardless of how her country has changed.
Exam tip: When comparing these poems, focus on how both characters respond differently to external pressures trying to shape their identities. The pilot ultimately changes but faces rejection, while the emigree refuses to change her perspective despite acknowledging reality.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology