KAMIKAZE

Kamikaze - Context

Beatrice Garland Born 1938

During WWII, Japanese kamikaze pilots flew manned suicide missions into military targets (e.g. ships), using planes filled with explosives. Soldiers and pilots were taught it was the only way to change the direction of the war (Japan losing), and they had to take part in this last resort. Very well trained pilots would volunteer to die, but towards the end of the war the military would have to recruit people and shun those who refuse.

The poem reflects the immense social pressure brought to bear on the pilots to carry out kamikaze missions as part of Japan's war effort during World War Two. Although we may think of this poem as being about a specific military practice carried out by Japanese pilots during wartime, the poem also has a strong contemporary relevance. Instead of simply thinking of the poem as being about a military strategy in the distant past, it might also prompt the thought that suicide missions are part of contemporary conflicts too and are very much in the news.

Kamikaze - Analysis

Her father embarked at sunrise

The story is told in third person but the perspective is complicated by first person interjections (in italics). The pilot is linked to Japan by the word sunrise and later by samurai sword, implying that his actions are placed within the heroic traditions of the country.

on a green-blue translucent sea

The beauty of the natural scene seems to have a revelatory effect on the pilot. It also makes him think about waiting for his own father to return and ultimately helps himn to decide to abort his mission.

he must have wondered which had been the better way to die.

'Die' here is an example of ambiguity. The pilot could have died physically on his mission. On returning home, he feels like he is dead to his family as they shun him for dishonouring them.