!War Photographer Flashcards
“spools of suffering set out in ordered rows”
Alliteration used mirrors the repetition of the spools of film laid out on the photographer’s table:
each sound is clearly and methodically marked out: mirroring the repetitive, meticulous arrangement of the canisters of film.
The “ordered rows” may be the photographer’s way of getting some order into his life which is usually chaotic and disorderly due to his job.
May also create an image of mass graves, ranks of soldiers creating a symbolic link to the horrors of war which are depicted on the films themselves.
“as though this were a church and he a priest preparing to intone a Mass
The metaphor comparing the dark room to a church suggests this is his place of solitude and sanctuary, it’s a place for reflection and a place to feel safe.
*just as a church … so too …
Comparing the photographer to a priest preparing for a Mass perhaps suggests that the work that the photographer does is comparable to spreading the word/ truth of God: serious, worthy life-changing work. The image is extended by the biblical quotation which ends the stanza,
Solutions slop in trays
the word “slop” connotes that it is messy, that there is no easy fix to war, the symbolism of the solutions in trays being uncontrollable and messy mirrors the idea Duffy is trying to convey that the war photographer can’t control war, despite trying to help there isn’t much that can be done by one person
a half-formed ghost
the word “ghost” tells us that the photographer feels haunted by this person. It may also be because the person has died so he is literally a ghost.
What themes are present
. Impact on people
. Suffering
. Conflict
How is the theme of war and it’s impact on people portrayed
A sinister tone is established from the outset by starting with the photographer “in his darkroom…finally alone” as well as the violent connotations of the color imagery in “red and softly glows”. This could be interpreted to show how even in the solace of his darkroom, the photographer is not safe from the horrors he has witnessed. The solitude of the photographer depicted throughout the poem implies that he feels he is alone in dealing with the emotions he is feeling.
How is the theme of suffering portrayed
Duffy’s use of sibilance in “spools of suffering” creates the impression of the true nature of war being hushed and quietened so people can continue with their everyday lives. By describing the photographer as having to “pick out five or six” photos, Duffy shows how the public will only want to see a few photos before the reality of the situation is to horrifying to continue viewing. This shows how people do not care about suffering that does not directly impact them as they can easily ignore it. The description of the dust as “foreign” creates a distinction between the two places that the people of England can easily make.
How is the theme of conflict portrayed
here is a juxtaposition throughout the poem between lex is from the semantic field of violence and religious imagery to suggest that people are not doing enough to prevent war. The photographer is compared to “a priest preparing to impart mass” which reminds the listener of the Christian value of peace but is in opposition to the descriptions of violence also featured in the poem. This implies that people are hypocritical because in theory they are against violence but are doing nothing to stop it when it is actually occurring.
