To compare how the results of war are shown in Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland and another poem from the ‘Conflict’ collection, let’s choose War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy. Both poems reflect on the emotional and

psychological consequences of war, but they do so in different ways. Kamikaze focuses on the personal impact on an individual soldier and his family, while War Photographer looks at the broader effects of war on people who witness its horrors from a distance.

The Results of War in Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland

In Kamikaze, Beatrice Garland explores the internal conflict of a Japanese pilot during World War II, who is sent on a suicide mission. The poem reflects on the personal consequences of war, focusing on how the pilot’s decision to turn back from his mission affects both him and his family.

The poem begins by describing the pilot’s journey, where he sets off to complete his mission with a sense of duty. The phrase “a one-way journey into history” shows that this mission was meant to bring honor to him and his family. In Japanese culture, kamikaze pilots were seen as heroes for sacrificing their lives for their country. However, the pilot makes the decision to return home instead of dying in the mission. This decision leads to his social and emotional isolation.

Garland uses natural imagery to show the pilot’s internal struggle. As he flies over the ocean, he sees the beauty of the natural world—“green-blue translucent sea,” “the dark shoals of fishes flashing silver.” These images

seem to remind him of the simple joys of life and the connection to his family. The memory of his childhood and the “feast of fish” triggers his desire to return home, reflecting how war forces individuals to face life-or-death decisions that can tear them apart emotionally.

The consequences of the pilot’s decision are devastating, not because he dies in the war, but because he is rejected by his own family and community. Upon his return, he is seen as a coward for not completing his mission. The line “they treated him as though he no longer existed”

highlights the emotional and social isolation he faces. His family, once proud, now feels ashamed, and he spends the rest of his life in disgrace. This shows how war doesn’t just cause physical destruction, but can also break the bonds of family and community, leaving emotional scars that last long after the war ends.

Through the pilot’s story, Garland shows how war forces individuals into impossible situations, where their choices can lead to devastating personal consequences. The pilot’s survival, rather than bringing relief or happiness,

results in emotional death, as he loses his identity and connection to those he loves. In this way, Kamikaze presents the results of war as deeply personal, affecting not only the soldiers who fight but also their families and communities.

The Results of War in War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy

War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy focuses on the experiences of a photographer who captures images of war-torn areas and brings them back to the safety of his home in a peaceful country. The poem explores the emotional toll of witnessing war from behind the camera and the difficulty of conveying the reality of war to people who are far removed from its horrors.

The photographer’s work involves documenting the violence and suffering of war, but he is not directly involved in the fighting. Instead, he stands apart, capturing the images of others’ pain. The line “he is finally alone with spools of suffering” suggests that the photographs he develops are filled

with images of people in pain, but there is a distance between him and those he photographs. He feels the weight of the suffering he witnesses, but he can only capture it, not stop it.

Duffy uses vivid imagery to describe the effects of war through the photographs. The “fields which don’t explode beneath the feet of running

children” refers to famous images of children fleeing from bombs, bringing attention to the innocence lost in war. The photographer’s job is to capture these moments, but once the photos are taken, they become mere snapshots of violence that people quickly forget.

The emotional impact of war is also shown in the way the photographer processes his work. The line “a hundred agonies in black and white”

captures how the war is reduced to images, where the suffering of real people becomes a distant memory for those who view the photographs. The photographer feels the emotional burden of his work, but the people who view his photos in the safety of their homes do not fully understand

the depth of the suffering. The final lines of the poem emphasize this detachment: “The reader’s eyeballs prick with tears between the bath and pre-lunch beers.” This suggests that people may feel momentary sympathy for those suffering in war, but they quickly move on with their lives, unaffected by the distant conflict.

Duffy’s poem highlights the emotional numbness that comes from witnessing war from a distance. For the photographer, war is a constant

presence in his life, but for the people who see his work, it is something that they can quickly forget. The result of war, in this case, is not only the suffering of those who live through it but also the emotional detachment of those who are removed from it.

Comparing the Results of War in Kamikaze and War Photographer

Both Kamikaze and War Photographer explore the emotional consequences of war, but they do so from different perspectives. In Kamikaze, the focus is on the personal and familial impact of war. The pilot’s decision to return

from his mission leads to his emotional and social isolation, showing how war can tear apart families and leave lasting emotional scars. The result of war in this poem is not just death on the battlefield but also the loss of identity and connection for those who survive.

In contrast, War Photographer focuses on the emotional toll of witnessing war from a distance. The photographer captures images of suffering, but his work is met with indifference by those who view it. The poem shows how

war can create emotional numbness for those who are not directly involved in it, leading to a detachment from the suffering of others. The result of war in this poem is a lack of empathy and understanding for the pain experienced by those in conflict zones.

Both poems use imagery to highlight the emotional consequences of war. In Kamikaze, the natural imagery of the sea and the fish reminds the pilot of the beauty of life and the value of family, but these memories are

overshadowed by the shame and isolation he faces upon his return. In War Photographer, the vivid images of war-torn landscapes and suffering children emphasize the horrors of war, but these images are quickly forgotten by the viewers, showing the emotional distance that war can create.

Ultimately, both poems reflect on the lasting impact of war, not just in terms of physical destruction but in terms of emotional and psychological consequences. In Kamikaze, the pilot’s choice to live results in his

emotional isolation, while in War Photographer, the photographer’s work leads to a sense of detachment from the suffering he captures. Both poems show that the results of war extend far beyond the battlefield, affecting individuals and societies in profound and lasting ways.