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Kamikaze - Coggle Diagram
Kamikaze
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Memory
The pilot's daughter imagines that the pilot's idyllic childhood memories contributed to him tuning round.
The vivid, beautiful descriptions of sea creatures hint at the power of the pilot's childhood memories. Metaphors like the "loose silver of whitebait" create a powerful, sensual picture.
In contrast, the daughter's memories of life after her father's return are presented in a matter of fact way- her straightforward language ("my mother never spoke again") shows how painful the situation was.
Identity
National identity often becomes more important in times of war. During World War Two, many Japanese people say it as a great honour to be a kamikaze and die of their country. The "incantations" that fill the pilot's head may refer to the patriotic propaganda used by the government to promote national identity
However, the pilot's decision to turn around was unpatriotic- he failed in his duty to his country
The end of the poem explores the tension between family identity and national identity. For the pilot, family identity was more important, but his family's patriotism was a so strong that they treated him as if he was dead, meaning that he lost his identity as a husband and a father
Loss and Absence
Although the pilot chose to avoid dying in the war, his family still lose him- their shame causes them to treat him "as though he no longer existed".
The daughter's statement that he "was no longer the father we loved" hints at the pain that this emotional loss caused both the pilot and his family
Power of Nature
Nature is presented as one of the reasons why the pilot turned back- his daughter thought that seeing the beauty of the scene below him compelled him to abandon his mission
The danger of nature is also alluded to, with the "turbulent inrush" of waves and the "muscular, dangerous" tuna. This suggests that humans are at the mercy of nature- the "turbulent" waves could crush a boat, or fisherman could be dragged overboard by a tuna
About
The poem opens with a kamikaze pilot setting off on his mission. Kamikaze pilots were specially trained Japanese pilots, wh were used towards the end of World War Two. they flew their planes on suicide missions into enemy ships- it was seen as a great honour to serve your country in this way. It becomes clear that the pilot turned around and didn't complete his mission- his daughter imagines that this was because on the way he saw the beauty of nature and remembered his innocent childhood. The pilot was shunned when he got home- even his family acted as if he wasn't there
Irony
There are ironic reminders of how the pilot has abandoned his mission. The way he's treated when he returns to his family is ironic because they act as if he's dead, even though he chose not to die
Direct speech
The addition of direct speech makes the poem seem more personal. Hearing the daughter's vice emphasises the impact of war on a specific familt
Natural imagery
Similes,metaphors and detailed descriptions are used to emphasise the beauty and power of nature. The pilot's daughter hints that this beauty was one of the main triggers for his actions
During the Second World War, the term 'kamikaze' was used for Japanese fighter pilots who were sent on suicide missions. They were expected to crash their warplanes into enemy warships. Pilots were revered for their heroism and remembered as martyrs. This poem prompts us to think about the consequences of suicide missions for families today as well as in past conflicts.
The poem contrasts the narrator and daughters voices in order to build a more personal and human tone to the poem as well as the pilots story