Kamikaze (Beatrice Garland)

Kamikaze  by Beatrice Garland recounts the story of a Kamikaze pilot who embarks on a suicide mission during World War II. The pilot's daughter reflects on her father's journey, imagining his thoughts and experiences as he flies towards his destiny. Despite being fully prepared for his mission with a flask of water, a samurai sword, and powerful incantations, the pilot experiences a moment of doubt halfway through his journey. He observes the beauty of the sea and recalls memories of his childhood, including his father's fishing trips and the camaraderie with his brothers. As he contemplates his decision, he realises the consequences of his actions and wonders if his sacrifice was worth it. The poem concludes with the daughter reflecting on the aftermath of her father's return, noting the silence and ostracisation he faced from his family and community. You can read the poem below and will find detailed analysis further down the page.

Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland

Her father embarked at sunrise 
with a flask of water, a samurai sword 
in the cockpit, a shaven head 
full of powerful incantations 
and enough fuel for a one-way 
journey into history

but half way there, she thought, 
recounting it later to her children, 
he must have looked far down 
at the little fishing boats 
strung out like bunting 
on a green-blue translucent sea

and beneath them, arcing in swathes 
like a huge flag waved first one way 
then the other in a figure of eight,
the dark shoals of fishes 
flashing silver as their bellies 
swivelled towards the sun

and remembered how he 
and his brothers waiting on the shore 
built cairns of pearl-grey pebbles 
to see whose withstood longest 
the turbulent inrush of breakers 
bringing their father’s boat safe

– yes, grandfather’s boat – safe 
to the shore, salt-sodden, awash 
with cloud-marked mackerel, 
black crabs, feathery prawns, 
the loose silver of whitebait and once 
a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous. 
And though he came back 
my mother never spoke again 
in his presence, nor did she meet his eyes 
and the neighbours too, they treated him 
as though he no longer existed, 
only we children still chattered and laughed 
till gradually we too learned 
to be silent, to live as though 
he had never returned, that this 
was no longer the father we loved. 
And sometimes, she said, he must have wondered
which had been the better way to die.

Analysis:

Title Significance:

The title, "Kamikaze," refers to the Japanese term for suicide pilots who conducted aerial attacks during World War II. The title sets the theme of self-sacrifice and the moral complexities surrounding wartime decisions.

Setting:

The poem is set during World War II, likely in the Pacific theatre where Kamikaze pilots were deployed by the Japanese military. The setting plays a crucial role in shaping the pilot's decision to embark on a suicide mission and the emotional aftermath of his return.

Imagery and Sensory Language:

Garland uses vivid imagery and sensory language to evoke the pilot's surroundings and experiences during his flight. Descriptions of the sea, fishing boats, and marine life create a vivid backdrop for the pilot's reflections and memories.

Structure:

The poem consists of stanzas of varying lengths, each with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. The structure reflects the fragmented and reflective nature of the speaker's narrative, with shifts in perspective and tone throughout the poem.

Tone and Mood:

The tone is contemplative and reflective, with a sense of introspection and empathy towards the pilot's experiences.

The mood is sombre and melancholic, as the speaker grapples with the complexities of war, sacrifice, and the consequences of one's actions.

Themes:

Sacrifice and Duty: The poem explores the theme of sacrifice and duty, as the pilot grapples with his obligation to serve his country at the expense of his own life.

Memory and Remembrance: Memories of the pilot's past, including his childhood and family, shape his thoughts and emotions during his mission.

Silence and Ostracisation: The aftermath of the pilot's return highlights the theme of silence and ostracisation, as his family and community struggle to come to terms with his decision to return from the suicide mission.

Language and Diction:

Garland's language is evocative and emotive, with an emphasis on conveying the pilot's inner thoughts and emotions.

The use of specific imagery, such as the fishing boats and marine life, adds depth and richness to the pilot's reflections and memories.

Conclusion:

Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland is a poignant exploration of sacrifice, memory, and the emotional aftermath of war. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Garland captures the complexity of the pilot's decision to embark on a suicide mission and the impact it has on his family and community. The poem offers a nuanced portrayal of the human cost of war and the enduring legacy of those who are forced to make impossible choices in the face of conflict.

You can find analysis of all the AQA Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology Poems here.