poppies and kamikaze

Introduction

• Both poems convey the devastating impact of war on families- emotional breakdown shown through caesura in poppies

• Both explore how memory is used to process grief and absence, how the past shapes the emotional present

• Garland- explore motivations for why people die for country, WW2- pilots kamikaze suicide missions, Japanese culture honour based- written 21st century

• Weir- lived in Ireland in troubles, symbol of remembrance for WW2, armistice Sunday

Point 1

Both poems explore the emotional consequences of war through non-conventional perspectives, focusing on the internal conflict experience by those left behind.

• ‘I wanted to graze my nose across the tip of your nose’

  • Deep longing, tender memory

  • ‘Graze’- painful undertones

• ‘Which had been the better way to die’

  • Pilots rejection from family was emotionally destructive, unresolved grief

  • Both options offer death, soldiers controlled by indoctrination, tools of government

Point 2

Both Garland and Weir use natural imagery to contrast innocence and violence, symbolising lost peace and the harsh intrusion of war

• ‘A tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous’

  • Raw, untamed forces of nature, metaphor for pilots own strength

  • ‘Dangerous’- internal battle between duty + instinct

• ‘The world overflowing like a treasure chest’

  • ‘Treasure chest’- metaphor, innocence + childhood wonder

  • War corrupts and intrudes upon natural beauty + simplicity of life- confront violence

Point 3

Both Kamikaze and Poppies reflect on the patriotic expectations placed on soldiers, but ultimately critique the emotional and moral cost of glorifying war

• ‘A samurai sword… shaven head full of powerful incantations’

  • Deep rooted tradition and patriotic ritual tied to Kamikaze mission

  • ‘Incantations’- brainwashing

• ‘Traced the inscriptions on the war memorial’

  • Static symbol of honour + remembrance

  • Grief shows how patriotism masks true cost of war