The Kamikaze poem by Beatrice Garland explores the complex themes of honor, shame, and cultural identity through the story of a Japanese kamikaze pilot who turns back from his suicide mission during World War II.
The poem follows a Japanese pilot who, despite being trained for a kamikaze mission, chooses life over death when he sees memories of his childhood in the ocean below - schools of fish, pearls, and memories of his village. This decision, while preserving his life, leads to severe social consequences. Upon returning home, he faces complete rejection from his family and community, who treat him as if he were dead for failing to complete his sacrificial mission. The Kamikaze poem structure employs seven stanzas of varying lengths, using free verse to mirror the pilot's journey and internal struggle. The narrative shifts between his daughter's perspective and third-person observations, creating a layered exploration of memory and consequence.
The Kamikaze themes center on cultural expectations, personal choice, and the devastating impact of shame in Japanese society. Garland masterfully weaves together imagery of the natural world with the harsh realities of war and social ostracism. The pilot's decision to turn back is presented through rich sensory details - "green-blue translucent sea," "flashing silver fish," and "dark shoals of fishes" - contrasting sharply with the cold reception he receives at home. The Kamikaze poem context is crucial to understanding its deeper meanings, as it reflects the historical reality of kamikaze pilots in WWII and the strict code of honor in Japanese culture. The poem's ending is particularly poignant, showing how the pilot lived as an outcast for years, with his own family treating him as invisible - a fate perhaps worse than the death he chose to avoid. Through this narrative, Garland explores universal themes about the conflict between personal choice and societal expectations, the price of survival, and the long-lasting impacts of war on individuals and families.
