Question 1: What is the historical background of the poem 'Kamikaze' and why is it significant to understanding the themes?

Answer: The poem is set during World War II, focusing on a Japanese pilot who refuses to go on a kamikaze mission, highlighting themes of loyalty, shame, and the human cost of war.

Question 1: Analyze the line: 'Her father embarked at sunrise / with a flask of water, a samurai sword / in the cockpit, which she thought was rare.' What does this suggest about her perception of her father?

Answer: It suggests she views her father as a hero or warrior figure, highlighting the respect and admiration she feels, which contrasts with his later feelings of shame.

Question 2: What is the significance of the phrase 'a shaven head full of powerful incantations' in the poem?

Answer: It emphasizes the pilot's religious or spiritual resolve, and the sense of ritual and seriousness associated with his duty.

Question 1: Find and explain the effect of the metaphor in the line: 'a tuna boat, safe and warm, with a shaven head full of powerful incantations.'

Answer: The metaphor compares the pilot's mind or thoughts to a tuna boat, suggesting a sense of safety and normality, which contrasts with the chaos and shame of his actions.

Question 2: Identify the simile in the phrase 'like a huge flag waved in the wind.' What does this imagery suggest about the pilot's feelings?

Answer: It suggests a sense of pride or honor, possibly the pilot's perception of himself or how he is viewed by others, which is challenged later in the poem.

Question 1: How does Garland portray the internal conflict experienced by the pilot?

Answer: Garland shows the pilot's internal conflict through the contrast between his duty and his personal feelings, especially in the lines describing his decision to turn back and the shame he feels afterwards.

Question 2: In what ways does the poem explore the theme of memory, and what effect does this have on the reader?

Answer: The poem reflects on the memory of the pilot's experience, emphasizing how such memories are complex—shameful yet human—prompting readers to consider the costs of war on individuals.

Question 1: Outline key points for comparing the portrayal of power in 'Kamikaze' and 'Ozymandias'. Consider themes, language, and structure.

Answer: In 'Kamikaze', Garland depicts power as linked to honour and social expectations, with the pilot's internal struggle highlighting the personal cost of power. In contrast, 'Ozymandias' presents power as fleeting and ultimately meaningless, shown through the ruined statue and the inscription. Both poems explore how power affects individuals and legacy, but Garland emphasizes internal conflict and human emotion, while Shelley focuses on the impermanence of human achievements.

Question 1: Quote: 'a shaven head full of powerful incantations.' What does the word 'powerful' suggest about the pilot’s state of mind?

Answer: The word 'powerful' emphasizes the strength and conviction in the pilot's thoughts or beliefs, suggesting a sense of resolve or spiritual resolve that might be challenged by the aftermath.

Question 2: Quote: 'like a huge flag waved in the wind.' Analyze the imagery and its possible symbolic meaning.

Answer: The imagery of a flag waving suggests pride, identity, or honor. It symbolizes how the pilot or the nation perceives his actions, which may be viewed differently by himself and others.

Question 1: Construct a paragraph or outline for an essay that explores Garland’s depiction of internal conflict, shame, and the impact of memory in 'Kamikaze'.

Answer: Garland presents internal conflict through the pilot's hesitation and subsequent shame, illustrating the personal toll of war. The poem uses contrasting imagery—pride and shame—to show the complex emotions involved. Memory is depicted as haunting, shaping the pilot’s identity and highlighting the emotional scars of his choices. Quotes like 'a shaven head full of powerful incantations' and 'like a huge flag waved in the wind' exemplify the conflicting feelings of honor and regret, emphasizing the human cost behind acts of war.