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GCSE English Literature · key term
A repeated chant or formula of words associated with ritual or magical power.
Used by AQA and Eduqas
Paper 2
Revise: KamikazeThe description ‘a shaven head / full of powerful incantations’ (lines 3–4) moves across a line break from his outward appearance to his mind. ‘Incantations’ suggests ritualised words with a compelling, almost magical force. These may represent patriotic messages through which military duty has been made to seem sacred.
Component 1
Words spoken or chanted as part of a ritual, often associated with spells or supernatural power.
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The narrator describes ‘a shaven head / full of powerful incantations’ (lines 3–4). The shaven head suggests ritual preparation, while ‘incantations’ makes the ideas filling his mind sound almost spell-like. One reading is that ritual gives him strength to fulfil his duty; another is that its ‘powerful’ influence suppresses independent thought.
