Poppies and Kamikaze Flashcards
(31 cards)
Comparison 1
In both poems, the poets present a romanticised view of patriotism, which juxtaposes the terrible reality of war.
Comparison 2
In both Poppies and Kamikaze, the poets explore the psychological impacts of warfare as they both have a tone of regret when remembering past relationships.
Comparison 3
Both poets focus on family relationships and the unconventional victims of war.
Kamikaze 1
In Kamikaze, this is evident at the beginning of the poem when the pilot is ready to play a part in the war, despite knowing the mission would lead to his death.
Kamikaze 1 - Quotes
“head full of powerful incantations”
Regular structure 7 stanzas 6 lines
“one way journey into history”
“fishes flashing silver as their bellies swivelled towards the sun”
Poppies 1
Similarly, in Poppies the romanticised view of patriotism is evident through the duty the narrator’s son want to play as a soldier.
Poppies 1 - Quotes
“spasms of paper red disrupting a blockade of yellow bias around your blazer”
“the world overflowing like a treasure chest”
“intoxicated”
Kamikaze 2
In Kamikaze, this is presented through the natural imagery as the daughter reflects on her father’s death.
Kamikaze 2 - Quotes
“little fishing boats strung out like bunting”
“like a huge flag”
“waved first one way and then the other in a figure eight”
Poppies 2
However, in Poppies, this is evident through Weir’s description of vivid domestic memories with the son.
Poppies 2 - Quotes
“wanted to graze her nose across the tip of his nose, play at being Eskimos like they did when he was little”
“gelled blackthorns of your hair”
Kamikaze 3
In Kamikaze, this is evident through the perhaps regretful tone of the daughter as she reflects on her relationship with her father.
Kamikaze 3 - Quotes
“learned to be silent and live as though he had never returned”
“he must have wondered a better way to die”
Poppies 3
However, in Poppies, this is evident through the use of domestic imagery, juxtaposed with violent imagery.
Poppies 3 - Quotes
“Sellotape bandaged”
“leaned against the war memorial like a wishbone”
“head full of powerful incantations”
“incantations”- cn of spell, further cn of witchcraft - demonstrates how the propaganda almost put a spell on the pilots to convince them to join up
-highlights indoctrination, honourable to die for country
-may show the anger of the narrator as it shows that they were blind to the brainwashing of the propaganda.
“powerful” adj further supports, highlights sheer power the government had over the pilots as they were persuaded into killing themselves.
Regular structure 7 stanzas 6 lines
- further supports idea of indoctrination, as rigid structure may depict the lack of individualism of Jpnese soldiers, highlighting widespread brainwashing
- alt. rigid structure could imply fate, destiny set in stone due to propaganda
“fishes flashing silver as their bellies swivelled towards the sun”
- may reference phrase ‘yellow bellied’
- highlights how pilot believed that if he did not complete his mission he would be seen as cowardly
- again showing how patriotism was heavily romanticised to brainwash young men into joining the war
“one way journey into history”
- metaphor
- significance of “journey” jxt by ordinary nature of pilot
- demonstrates how ordinary people brainwashed into killing self as they were disillusioned by a sense of grandeur
“spasms of paper red”
“spasms” and “red”- violent cn
“spasms” - involuntary painful movement
- may illustrate propaganda indoctrinated young men into joining war almost involuntarily
“red” cn blood, may foreshadow potential violence soldier would face during time at war
-inevitable injuries true reality of war
-alt. red cn anger - able to recognise indoctrination + false pretences of propaganda that her son, and the millions of young men, are blind to
-indicates how she knows he will ultimately die or be horribly injured.
“blockade of yellow bias”
“yellow bias” - may highlight how propaganda appealed to men specifically to brainwash them into joining army
- “yellow” - cn happiness/joy - war seem pleasant place to be, despite horrific reality
- demonstrates how propaganda hid the true reality of war from soldiers so they would join up
- further supported by “blockade” - may be reference how govt intentionally blocked out details of true horrors of war to romanticise war + thus convince young men to join
“the world overflowing like a treasure chest”
- apparent excitement to leave
- cn extremely valuable - son eager to explore and gain new experiences
- blind to real horrors of war
“intoxicated”
- cn drunkness/inability to ctrl self
- perhaps out of excitement?
- alt. ould demonstrate lack of ctrl over self after joining war
- unable to leave
- highlights inescapability of war + destructiveness of patriotism
“little fishing boats strung out like bunting”
“bunting”- cn celebration
- indoctrinated view actions would be celebrated - suicide honourable
- alt. simile could highlight pilot’s view life should celebrated+ enjoyed, rather than ended so suddenly
- enjambment highlights confusion - doesnt know which action to take
