"Kamikaze" by Beatrice Garland explores the powerful story of a... Show more
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S
Simran Singh
14/12/2025
English Literature
Power and conflict: kamikaze
58
•
14 Dec 2025
•
Kamikaze: Power and Conflict Analysis
S
Simran Singh
@simransin_2f93r
1 / 3
The Journey Begins
Ever wondered how a single decision can change everything? This poem starts with a kamikaze pilot preparing for what should be his final mission. The repeated 's' sounds (sibilance) in the opening create a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the violent purpose of his journey.
The sunrise isn't just about time - it's packed with meaning. It represents Japan itself (think of their flag) and suggests something divine, as if the pilot is meant to meet his maker. The word "embarked" deliberately connects to boats, foreshadowing how memories of his father's fishing boat will change everything.
Water and the samurai sword show the pilot's spiritual preparation. Water represents purity and baptism - he's cleansing himself before what should be his heroic death. The daughter telling this story creates an intellectual bond with her father by imagining his thoughts, even though he became "dead" to the family after his return.
Key insight: The schools of fish he sees below become symbols of the life he doesn't want to give up through suicide.
The Moment of Choice
Here's where everything changes - the fish below look "like a huge flag" moving in a figure of eight. This brilliant image works on multiple levels: the flag represents patriotism, but the figure eight symbolises infinity. At this crucial moment, the pilot imagines both eternal life as a hero and eternal death.
The figure of eight also physically represents his journey - flying out with intent to die, then turning back home. It's a perfect visual metaphor for his change of heart. The fish represent the life he chooses to preserve rather than destroy.
Biblical imagery runs throughout this section. The "loose silver of whitebait" connects to Judas's betrayal - thirty pieces of silver for betraying Jesus. The word "loose" suggests both the fish moving freely and loose morality, highlighting how his country will see his decision as betrayal.
The tuna as "dark prince" represents either Japan's royal family (who send men to die) or the pilot's own subversive act. His choice to live becomes "muscular" and "dangerous" - not cowardly, but actually requiring tremendous strength to face the consequences.
Cultural context: In wartime Japan, returning from a kamikaze mission brought incredible shame to entire families.
Living with the Consequences
The volta ("till gradually") marks a devastating shift in the poem. The children naturally loved and welcomed their father back - but they had to learn to be silent and treat him as if he didn't exist. This learned behaviour was completely unnatural, showing how cultural expectations can destroy family bonds.
The fact that it was "learned" behaviour suggests the daughter, now grown up, recognises how wrong this treatment was. She's breaking the cycle by telling her own children about their grandfather, giving them the relationship she never had.
"Which had been the better way to die" is the poem's most powerful line. The pilot faces two deaths - physical death as a hero, or emotional death as an outcast in his own family. He's lived for years but never been truly accepted back, creating a living death that might be worse than his original mission.
The poem's structure shows different generations talking - the daughter to her children, remembering her father's story. Beatrice Garland uses this to explore how countries and families recover from war. Sometimes it takes the next generation to heal the damage and change harmful cultural attitudes.
Universal theme: The poem asks whether personal survival is worth social death, and how families can break cycles of shame and silence.
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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
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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
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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
Kamikaze: Power and Conflict Analysis
S
Simran Singh
@simransin_2f93r
"Kamikaze" by Beatrice Garland explores the powerful story of a Japanese pilot who was meant to carry out a suicide mission during World War II but chose to turn back home. The poem examines the devastating consequences of his decision... Show more
The Journey Begins
Ever wondered how a single decision can change everything? This poem starts with a kamikaze pilot preparing for what should be his final mission. The repeated 's' sounds (sibilance) in the opening create a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the violent purpose of his journey.
The sunrise isn't just about time - it's packed with meaning. It represents Japan itself (think of their flag) and suggests something divine, as if the pilot is meant to meet his maker. The word "embarked" deliberately connects to boats, foreshadowing how memories of his father's fishing boat will change everything.
Water and the samurai sword show the pilot's spiritual preparation. Water represents purity and baptism - he's cleansing himself before what should be his heroic death. The daughter telling this story creates an intellectual bond with her father by imagining his thoughts, even though he became "dead" to the family after his return.
Key insight: The schools of fish he sees below become symbols of the life he doesn't want to give up through suicide.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Moment of Choice
Here's where everything changes - the fish below look "like a huge flag" moving in a figure of eight. This brilliant image works on multiple levels: the flag represents patriotism, but the figure eight symbolises infinity. At this crucial moment, the pilot imagines both eternal life as a hero and eternal death.
The figure of eight also physically represents his journey - flying out with intent to die, then turning back home. It's a perfect visual metaphor for his change of heart. The fish represent the life he chooses to preserve rather than destroy.
Biblical imagery runs throughout this section. The "loose silver of whitebait" connects to Judas's betrayal - thirty pieces of silver for betraying Jesus. The word "loose" suggests both the fish moving freely and loose morality, highlighting how his country will see his decision as betrayal.
The tuna as "dark prince" represents either Japan's royal family (who send men to die) or the pilot's own subversive act. His choice to live becomes "muscular" and "dangerous" - not cowardly, but actually requiring tremendous strength to face the consequences.
Cultural context: In wartime Japan, returning from a kamikaze mission brought incredible shame to entire families.
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
Living with the Consequences
The volta ("till gradually") marks a devastating shift in the poem. The children naturally loved and welcomed their father back - but they had to learn to be silent and treat him as if he didn't exist. This learned behaviour was completely unnatural, showing how cultural expectations can destroy family bonds.
The fact that it was "learned" behaviour suggests the daughter, now grown up, recognises how wrong this treatment was. She's breaking the cycle by telling her own children about their grandfather, giving them the relationship she never had.
"Which had been the better way to die" is the poem's most powerful line. The pilot faces two deaths - physical death as a hero, or emotional death as an outcast in his own family. He's lived for years but never been truly accepted back, creating a living death that might be worse than his original mission.
The poem's structure shows different generations talking - the daughter to her children, remembering her father's story. Beatrice Garland uses this to explore how countries and families recover from war. Sometimes it takes the next generation to heal the damage and change harmful cultural attitudes.
Universal theme: The poem asks whether personal survival is worth social death, and how families can break cycles of shame and silence.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
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.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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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Most popular content: Thesis
Most popular content in English Literature
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
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