Analysing the Poem 'Kamikaze'
I can explore how Garland uses language and structure to explore the conflict between personal and national duty.
Analysing the Poem 'Kamikaze'
I can explore how Garland uses language and structure to explore the conflict between personal and national duty.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The pilot’s national duty, reflected by the patriotic imagery and rigid stanzas, is to complete a sacrificial mission.
- The pilot chooses to abide by his personal duty to experience the beauty of life in the present moment.
- The use of perspective and pronouns reflects society’s attitudes to the pilot’s decision to turn back.
- Abundant natural imagery reflects the allure and power of nature.
- Nature is shown to have a more powerful grip on the pilot than the incantations of propaganda.
Common misconception
Students may not recognise the use of different perspectives in the poem to represent distance.
Explain to pupils that the dual narrative is a stylistic choice of Garland to show the mother telling the story to her own children as if she is not a part of it. She then slowly reveals the pilot is her own father.
Keywords
Incantations - a magic spell or charm
Patriotism - love or devotion to one’s country
Alluring - powerfully or mysteriously attractive or fascinating
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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