Question 1: Briefly describe the overall structure of 'Kamikaze'. How is the poem organized in terms of stanzas and shifts?

Answer: The poem is organized into several stanzas with a clear shift from the pilot’s perspective to his family’s reaction, highlighting a change in tone and focus.

Question 2: Identify any structural features that emphasize the poem's themes of memory or conflict.

Answer: The use of a shift in perspective and a break in the poem's form reflect the conflict between duty and personal conscience, as well as the fading memory of the event.

Question 1: Look at the opening stanza. How does its structure set the tone for the poem?

Answer: The opening stanza's calm, descriptive structure establishes a reflective tone, inviting the reader into the pilot's memory.

Question 2: Identify a structural device used in the stanza that describes the pilot’s decision. What effect does it have?

Answer: The repeated use of caesuras and pauses mirrors the hesitation and internal conflict faced by the pilot.

Question 1: Find a metaphor in the poem that relates to the pilot’s decision. How does its placement within the structure affect its impact?

Answer: The metaphor of the 'white feather' symbolizes peace and cowardice; its placement at the end emphasizes the shame and regret associated with the decision.

Question 2: Identify a simile used in the poem and discuss how its position within the structure influences the reader’s understanding.

Answer: The simile 'like a huge flag' describing the plane’s descent emphasizes patriotism and is positioned to evoke pride before the shift to regret.

Question 1: How does the structure of the poem reflect the theme of conflict between duty and personal morality?

Answer: The shifts in perspective and tone mirror the internal conflict faced by the pilot, highlighting the tension between allegiance and conscience.

Question 2: Discuss how the poem’s structure influences the reader’s perception of memory and regret.

Answer: The fragmented structure and shifts in focus create a sense of fractured memory, emphasizing the lingering feelings of guilt and loss.

Question 1: Identify key structural features in 'Ozymandias' that relate to its themes of power and decay. How might these compare to Garland’s use of structure in 'Kamikaze'?

Answer: Both poems use structure to emphasize themes: 'Ozymandias' employs a sonnet form with a volta to highlight the rise and fall of power, while 'Kamikaze' uses shifts and fragmented memories to explore personal conflict and guilt. Comparing these features reveals how structure shapes thematic understanding.

Question 1: Analyze the quote: 'a half-formed ghost' — what does this phrase suggest about the pilot’s memory and guilt? How does its placement within the poem’s structure deepen this understanding?

Answer: The phrase 'a half-formed ghost' suggests the pilot’s lingering guilt and incomplete reconciliation with his actions. Its placement at the end of the poem emphasizes the haunting nature of his memories, reinforcing how structural shifts mirror his psychological state.

Question 1: Using specific structural features, explain how Garland creates a sense of internal conflict and emotional complexity in 'Kamikaze'.

Answer: Garland uses shifts in perspective, pauses, and fragmented stanzas to mirror the pilot’s internal struggle between duty and morality. The contrast between calm descriptive sections and emotional outbursts deepens the reader’s engagement with his conflicted psyche, emphasizing themes of regret and memory.