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Themes

English Lit: AQA GCSE Poetry - Power & Conflict, topic 13.1.2

Honour

Honour is an important theme in the poem, as the poet explores the consequences of not fulfilling one's duty. Garland uses the following techniques to highlight the importance of honour:

Title

Title

  • The title of the poem - “Kamikaze” - literally means a “divine wind”.
  • It was considered an honour to be asked to perform this role. - Having this as the title of the poem sets the poem up to focus on the idea of honour.
Symbolism

Symbolism

  • “Her father embarked at sunrise”.
  • Japan is also known as the “land of the rising sun”, so this could be a reference to the country’s heritage.
  • It is also symbolic of hope.
Metaphor

Metaphor

  • “One-way journey into history”.
  • This metaphor could highlight the significance of the act and the honour it could bring him.
Listing

Listing

  • “…with a flask of water, a samurai sword / in the cockpit, a shaven head / full of powerful incantations”.
  • This technique of listing suggests this is a ritual and gives the sense of dignity and respect for the tradition.

Nature

Garland highlights the beauty of nature to help us empathise with the pilots' reasons for turning back. Garland also uses nature to forewarn of bad things to come.

Natural imagery

Natural imagery

  • Natural imagery is used throughout the poem to highlight the beauty of the world and everything the pilot stands to lose. Examples include:
  • “Green-blue translucent sea”.
  • “Shoals of fishes”.
  • There is a suggestion that these influence his decision to turn back.
Fish symbolism

Fish symbolism

  • You could argue that there is a connection between the pilot and the fish: just as they become trapped in nets, he cannot escape society’s expectations of him.
Dark imagery

Dark imagery

  • “…a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous”.
  • This hints of the more powerful, even predatory side of nature, and perhaps the darker end to the poem.
Sibilance

Sibilance

  • Sibilance in stanza three mimics the smooth, graceful movement of the fish and adds to the rich description of the beauty of nature.

Test yourself on Themes

  • Why is the sun an important symbol in this quote?
    “Her father embarked at sunrise”

  • Which of these quotes relate to the theme of honour in Kamikaze?

  • How does this quote relate to the theme of honour?
    “…with a flask of water, a samurai sword / in the cockpit, a shaven head / full of powerful incantations”

  • Which of these are examples of natural imagery in Kamikaze?

  • How could fish symbolise the pilot in Kamikaze?

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