Poetry Comparisons: Kamikaze

Key Focus:

• Understanding the poem "Kamikaze" for high grades (7, 8, 9)
• Analyzing quotes and organizing comparisons using language features, structure, and endings.

Poem Narrative

• Narrator: Daughter recounting her father's story as a kamikaze pilot to her own children.
• Structure of Narrative:
  • Begins with backstory from the poet: "Her father embarked at sunrise..."
  • Transition to daughter's reflections on her father’s thoughts and internal conflict.

Themes and Symbols

• Embarked and Sunrise:

  • Symbols of peace and purity, reflecting the expected peace in death.
  • Sunrise symbolizes Japan and divinity.
  • Water symbolizes purity and baptism.

• Fish and Flags:

  • Fish represent life and the dilemma of choosing between life and patriotic sacrifice.
  • Simile of fish as a flag suggests patriotism and internal conflict.
  • Figure of eight symbolizes infinity and eternal death, reflecting pilot's decision-making.

• Grandfather's Boat:

  • Symbolizes family and the life the pilot would leave behind.
  • The connection to family influences pilot’s decision not to die.

• White Bait (Fish):

  • Associated with betrayal (reference to Judas' betrayal of Jesus for silver).

• The Dark Prince (Tuna Fish):

  • Potentially symbolizes Japanese royal family or the pilot's strong decision not to die.

Analysis of Structure and Form

• Structure:

  • Use of line breaks and stanzas to signify shifts in the narrative and daughter’s reflections.
  • Stanzas of six lines each, free verse style, creating a narrative tone.

• Form:

  • Lack of rhyme or specific form reflects natural speech and narrative monologue.
  • Suggests a moral narrative: importance of family and life over tradition of sacrifice.

Chronological and Cultural Context

• Narrative Complexity:

  • Shows complexity in generational perspectives and cultural impact of war.
  • The change in family dynamics post-war is a message of hope and cultural evolution.

• Historical Reference:

  • Japan's recovery after WWII atomic bombings symbolizes resilience and renewal.

Conclusion

• Overall Theme:
  • Poem ends on a hopeful note, showing how cultures can grow beyond old traditions.
  • Challenges traditional war narratives, making it a positive poem in the war poetry anthology.

Exam Strategy

• Analysis of Form:
  • Start with form to indicate advanced understanding.
  • Follow a pattern analyzing language, structure, and author’s purpose, linking beginning and ending perspectives.

Final Thoughts

• Complexities in who narrates to whom reflect the poem’s depth.
• Encourage further reflection and discussion for a deeper understanding.

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