War Photographer Flashcards
Form of war photographer
Tight form of six line stanzas as well as a constant ABBCD rhyme scheme.
Rigid forms reflects
the chaos caused by conflict and maybe the order in “Rural England “
Cyclical structure
The poem ends by describing the photogrpaher returning from the warzone he came from on an “aeroplane” Cyclical structure creates a futile repetition and a continuation of mistakes and acts as evidence that the photogrpaher’s work doesn’t change anything.
“as though this was a church and he a priest preparing to intone a mass “
Religious simile reveals that he knows the impacts of his photos on the public.Also a parrallel between a priest’s job and a photographer.: both are exposed to death and suffering.
” he has a job to do “
He has business to complete.Reinforced by the serious tone created by the short sentence.
” Solutions slop in trays”
Sibilant alliteration.Sibilance creates a sinister tone.Literal meaning developing photos in a darkroom.Implicit Meaning - he’s trying to offer solutions to the conflict he just witnessed.By raising public awareness
“Ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel “
In “Rural England “ problems are trivial and are easily foxed by sunny weather.Contrats with the wartorm settings that he’s been in , where pain , suffering is devastating
“He remembers the cries”
Auditory imagery used here to develop the horrific image.
” a hundred agonies in black and white” “pick out five or six for Sunday supplements “
Agonies of war are diluted for the Sunday papers.
“Readers eyeballs prick with tears”
The choice of the word “eyeballs “ instead of eyes suggetss the thr act of crying after seeing these photos is almost mechanixal - a reflex.Suggetss they are not truly affected by the photos it is just a physical process of secreting tears.It is not genuine
“Belfast.Beirut.Phnom .Phenh.”
Plosives create create an aggresive sound highlighting how war affects so many people
“Running children in a nightmare heat “
Harsh reality of war
“Spools of suffering”
Sibilance creates impression that war is quitened so people can live guiltlessly
Juxtaposition between “ a priest preparing to impart mass “ and “blood stained “
Juxtaposition between religious simile and violent imagery suggets people are hypocritical.Reminds Chrostians about Chiristian values and peace. In theory are against violence and war but don’t do anything to stop it
