Pilot's Journey and Decision

The Kamikaze poem begins by describing the pilot's departure on his suicide mission. Garland uses vivid imagery to set the scene and establish the gravity of the situation.

Quote: "Her father embarked at sunrise / with a flask of water, a samurai sword / in the cockpit, a shaven head / full of powerful incantations"

The poem then shifts to speculation about the pilot's thoughts and experiences during his journey. The daughter imagines her father looking down at the sea and remembering his childhood.

Highlight: The use of modal verbs like "must have" emphasizes that this is a speculative account, reminding readers that the story is second-hand.

The natural imagery of the sea and fish contrasts sharply with the military purpose of the pilot's mission, suggesting a conflict between the beauty of life and the demands of war.

Example: The description of fish "flashing silver as their bellies / swivelled towards the sun" creates a peaceful, almost playful image that stands in stark contrast to the pilot's intended kamikaze mission.

Memories and Turning Point

The poem delves into the pilot's memories of his family and childhood, which ultimately influence his decision to turn back.

Quote: "and remembered how he and / his brothers waiting on the shore / built cairns of pearl-grey pebbles"

These memories of family life and the natural world serve as a powerful counterpoint to the military propaganda and expectations placed on the pilot.

Vocabulary: Cairns - mounds of stones built as memorials or landmarks.

The vivid descriptions of sea life and fishing further emphasize the richness of the life the pilot would be leaving behind.

Example: "cloud-marked mackerel, / black crabs, feathery prawns, / the loose silver of whitebait and once / a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous."

Consequences of Return

The final section of the Kamikaze poem deals with the aftermath of the pilot's decision to return home. Garland portrays the severe social consequences of this choice.

Quote: "my mother never spoke again / in his presence, nor did she meet his eyes / and the neighbours too, they treated him / as though he no longer existed"

The poem highlights the stark contrast between the children's initial acceptance and the adults' rejection of the returned pilot.

Highlight: The use of "we" in "only we children still chattered and laughed" emphasizes the generational divide in the response to the pilot's return.

The Kamikaze poem concludes with a poignant reflection on the pilot's possible regret and the question of whether his choice was truly the better option.

Quote: "And sometimes, she said, he must have wondered / which had been the better way to die."

This final line encapsulates the central conflict of the poem, questioning the nature of honor, duty, and the true cost of survival in a society that values sacrifice above all.

Structure and Narrative Perspective

The Kamikaze poem by Beatrice Garland is structured as a narrative, told from the perspective of the pilot's daughter. This choice of narrator adds a personal and reflective tone to the poem.

Highlight: The poem uses enjambment to emphasize the personal tone and create a flowing narrative.

The structure includes a significant volta, or turn, that marks a shift in the poem's direction and tone. This occurs when the pilot returns home, highlighting the consequences of his decision.

Quote: "And though he came back / my mother never spoke again / in his presence"

Imagery and Symbolism

Garland employs rich imagery throughout the Kamikaze poem, contrasting peaceful natural scenes with military symbolism.

Example: The "samurai sword" and "shaven head" represent military discipline, while the "green-blue translucent sea" and "dark shoals of fishes" evoke a sense of natural beauty and freedom.

The poem uses symbols of Japanese culture, such as the samurai sword, to represent the code of honor (bushido) that the pilot is expected to follow.

Vocabulary: Bushido - the traditional Japanese code of honor and morals developed by the samurai class.

Themes Explored

The Kamikaze poem analysis reveals several key themes:

1. Duty vs. Personal Choice
2. Family and Memory
3. Social Ostracism
4. Nature vs. War

The poem explores the tension between societal expectations and personal desires, as well as the long-lasting impact of choices on family and community relationships.