A daughter's reflection on her father's experience as a kamikaze pilot who returned alive.
Explores the father’s journey, his change of heart, and the subsequent shunning by family and society.
Detailed Analysis
Context
Beatrice Garland (1938 - ): Influenced by poets like John Donne, John Clare, and Seamus Heaney.
Kamikaze Pilots: WWII Japanese suicide missions targeting enemy ships.
Associated with honor and patriotism.
Pilots often recruited under societal pressure.
Named after a historic typhoon (nature’s power).
Cultural Expectations: Honor-based society; familial honor was crucial.
Poem Structure and Form
Narrative Perspective: Third-person to first-person shift signifies emotional detachment and internal reflection.
Structure: Six-line stanzas, reflecting military order.
Enjambment and Free Verse: Indicate internal conflict and desire for freedom.
Themes
Conflict and Identity
Father vs. Soldier Identity: Conflict between personal desire to live and societal/military expectations.
Cultural Pressures: Emphasize the conflict between individual desires and societal roles.
Nature and Patriotism
Symbolism of Nature: Fishing boats, sea, fish symbolize life’s beauty and nature’s enduring power compared to transient human conflicts.
Patriotic Imagery: Highlights indoctrination by Japanese culture.
Impact of War
Family and Generation: Explores the lasting impact of war on families and future generations.
Personal vs. Societal Expectations: Father's choice of life leads to familial rejection, highlighting societal pressures.
Language and Imagery
Natural Imagery: Evokes peace, tranquility, and life’s value.
Symbolism: Boats, fish, and sea as representations of life's continuity and beauty.
Irony: Despite survival, the father is metaphorically dead due to societal rejection.
Comparisons to Other Poems
The Prelude: Both celebrate nature but differ in their portrayal of its power.
Poppies: Both depict civilian impact of war; emotional and psychological struggles.
Checking Out Me History: Both focus on the importance of personal history and cultural identity.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts: The poem questions the futility of war and patriotic indoctrination, emphasizing nature's enduring power and the personal cost of societal expectations.