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Kamikaze Poem by Beatrice Garland: Easy Analysis and World War II Themes

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Caitlin Sofia

22/06/2023

English Literature

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Kamikaze Poem by Beatrice Garland: Easy Analysis and World War II Themes

The poem "Kamikaze" by Beatrice Garland explores the complex themes of honor, duty, and the human cost of war through the story of a Japanese pilot who turns back from his suicide mission. This powerful World War II poem uses vivid imagery and symbolism to contrast the beauty of life with the harsh realities of war and its aftermath.

...

22/06/2023

109

Kamikaze
Dehumanised
5
Beatrice
Garland
(b. 1938)
Her father embarked at sunrise
with a flask of water, a samurai sword
in the cockpit, a sh

View

Page 2: The Return and Its Consequences

The second page of the Kamikaze poem analysis Beatrice Garland focuses on the pilot's return and the devastating social consequences of his decision not to complete his mission. The poem continues to use rich imagery to contrast the beauty of life with the harsh reality of societal expectations.

The stanza describing the grandfather's boat returning with its catch is filled with vibrant, life-affirming images:

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

This vivid description serves to emphasize what the pilot chose to return to, highlighting the value of life and the natural world over the destructive mission he was assigned.

However, the poem takes a dark turn as it describes the reception the pilot receives upon his return:

Highlight: The symbolism in Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland is particularly poignant in the description of how the pilot's family and community react to his return, treating him as if he "no longer existed."

The final stanzas of the poem reveal the long-lasting impact of the pilot's decision on his family and himself. The mother's silence and the neighbors' shunning demonstrate the severe social consequences of failing to fulfill one's duty in Japanese society during World War II.

Quote: "And though he came back / 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 concludes with a powerful reflection on the nature of sacrifice and the psychological toll of war:

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

This final line encapsulates the central themes of the poem, questioning the true nature of honor and sacrifice in the context of war. It leaves the reader to contemplate the complex moral dilemmas faced by individuals caught in the machinery of conflict.

The Kamikaze poem analysis Beatrice Garland reveals a nuanced exploration of war's impact on individuals and families, challenging readers to consider the human cost of ideologies that demand ultimate sacrifice.

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English Literature

109

28 Jun 2025

2 pages

Kamikaze Poem by Beatrice Garland: Easy Analysis and World War II Themes

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Caitlin Sofia

@caitlinsofia_kwiq

The poem "Kamikaze" by Beatrice Garland explores the complex themes of honor, duty, and the human cost of war through the story of a Japanese pilot who turns back from his suicide mission. This powerful World War II poemuses... Show more

Kamikaze
Dehumanised
5
Beatrice
Garland
(b. 1938)
Her father embarked at sunrise
with a flask of water, a samurai sword
in the cockpit, a sh

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Page 2: The Return and Its Consequences

The second page of the Kamikaze poem analysis Beatrice Garland focuses on the pilot's return and the devastating social consequences of his decision not to complete his mission. The poem continues to use rich imagery to contrast the beauty of life with the harsh reality of societal expectations.

The stanza describing the grandfather's boat returning with its catch is filled with vibrant, life-affirming images:

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

This vivid description serves to emphasize what the pilot chose to return to, highlighting the value of life and the natural world over the destructive mission he was assigned.

However, the poem takes a dark turn as it describes the reception the pilot receives upon his return:

Highlight: The symbolism in Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland is particularly poignant in the description of how the pilot's family and community react to his return, treating him as if he "no longer existed."

The final stanzas of the poem reveal the long-lasting impact of the pilot's decision on his family and himself. The mother's silence and the neighbors' shunning demonstrate the severe social consequences of failing to fulfill one's duty in Japanese society during World War II.

Quote: "And though he came back / 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 concludes with a powerful reflection on the nature of sacrifice and the psychological toll of war:

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

This final line encapsulates the central themes of the poem, questioning the true nature of honor and sacrifice in the context of war. It leaves the reader to contemplate the complex moral dilemmas faced by individuals caught in the machinery of conflict.

The Kamikaze poem analysis Beatrice Garland reveals a nuanced exploration of war's impact on individuals and families, challenging readers to consider the human cost of ideologies that demand ultimate sacrifice.

Kamikaze
Dehumanised
5
Beatrice
Garland
(b. 1938)
Her father embarked at sunrise
with a flask of water, a samurai sword
in the cockpit, a sh

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Page 1: The Pilot's Journey and Memories

The first page of Beatrice Garland's poem "Kamikaze" introduces the central figure of the Japanese pilot embarking on his suicide mission during World War II. The poem begins with a description of the pilot's departure, emphasizing the ritualistic and cultural aspects of his preparation.

Quote: "Her father embarked at sunrise / with a flask of water, a samurai sword / in the cockpit, a shaven head / full of powerful incantations / and enough fuel for a one-way / journey into history"

This opening stanza sets the tone for the themes in Kamikaze poem World War II, highlighting the cultural significance of the kamikaze mission and the expectations placed on the pilot. The imagery of the sunrise and the samurai sword symbolizes the connection to Japanese tradition and the honorable nature of the sacrifice.

As the poem progresses, it shifts to the pilot's perspective during his flight. Garland uses vivid imagery to describe the scene below, contrasting the beauty of nature with the grim reality of the pilot's mission.

Highlight: The symbolism in Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland becomes apparent as the pilot observes the fishing boats and the sea below, representing life and the cyclical nature of existence.

The poem then introduces the voice of the pilot's daughter, who recounts her father's experience to her own children. This narrative framing device allows for a retrospective examination of the events and their long-lasting impact on the family.

Example: The description of the "green-blue translucent sea" and the "dark shoals of fishes" creates a vivid contrast to the destructive purpose of the pilot's mission, emphasizing the beauty of life he is leaving behind.

The first page concludes with childhood memories of the pilot and his brothers playing on the shore, building cairns of pebbles. This recollection serves to humanize the pilot and highlight the innocence lost to war.

Vocabulary: Cairns - Stacks of stones used as memorials or landmarks

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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

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