Kamikaze Historical Context Flashcards
(13 cards)
What does ‘Kamikaze’ mean?
Divine wind
Originally referred to a typhoon that destroyed a Mongol fleet in the 13th century.
What were kamikaze pilots known for during World War II?
Suicide missions, crashing planes into enemy ships
Seen as a final act of sacrifice.
How were kamikaze pilots viewed in Japanese society?
As heroes who sacrificed their lives for their country
Choosing not to die was considered dishonourable.
What emotional consequences did a kamikaze pilot face if he returned home alive?
Rejection by family and community
Seen as a coward who disgraced ancestors.
What cultural influences shape the expectations of kamikaze pilots?
Bushido, the samurai code
Emphasizes family honour and social duty.
What does Beatrice Garland imagine about a kamikaze pilot who turns back?
Suffers emotional and societal consequences
Very few pilots made this decision.
What is Beatrice Garland’s background?
British poet, academic, and former NHS psychologist
Her work is influenced by medical ethics and psychology.
What universal themes does Garland explore in Kamikaze?
- Conflict between personal morality and societal expectations
- The power of nature and memory in making moral choices
- The emotional damage of war beyond the battlefield
What is the societal outcome for a kamikaze pilot returning home?
Social ‘death’
His family ‘never spoke to him again.’
What aspect of culture fascinates Beatrice Garland?
How cultures shape people’s values and decisions
True or False: Kamikaze pilots were celebrated for their return home alive.
False
They faced shame and social exclusion.
Fill in the blank: Kamikaze pilots were sent on ______ missions.
suicide
What key concept does Kamikaze explore regarding personal choice?
Empathy
Imagining the punishment for choosing life.
