War Photographer Flashcards
finally alone
relieved on his return
surrounded by horrors wishes to leave behind doesnt feel home make
sense through photos
spools of suffering
metaphor
image highlights the horrors that the images contain they are horrific. literally becoming suffering
ordered rows
respect for images
graveyards needs to find order regain control.
tries to restore order in the chaotic images
only light is red an soft glow
light burns in catholic churches symbolises presence of christ. remembrance
blood he has seen
as though this were a church and he a priest preparing to intone a mass
He handles them with the same respect with which a priest would prepare for communion and there is a definite ritual to this process.
takes his job seriously. priest has also dealt` with suffering
belfat.beirut. phnom penh
each has its own sentences emphasises how important it is to remember each war zone.the final part of the printing process - into the mind of the reader.
all flesh is grass
reinforces the religious imagery as well as emphasising the fragility of life.
no higher power we all die and become earth, dark image
he has a job to do
short abrupt sentence, shows he tries to doucs on what has doing rather than on horror of his life.
solutions slop
sibilance literally referring to the solutions used in the photos
he also has the opportunity to make a solution but he doesn’t
hope that in some way these photographs may help to contribute to the resolution of the conflicts they depict.
which did not tremble then though they seem to now
contrast between horror of war zones and the comfort at home. he allows himself to feel guilt now but acting professional at the time
let down his guard in the privacy of the darkroom
rural england
contrast safe compared to war
to ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel
easy dunchine contrast to lives of others
problems can be dispelled by the simplicity of clement weather.
no idea of real suffering
which don’t explode beneath the feet of running children in a nightmare heat
juxtaposition/enjambment. contrast in lives. flight of children in the areas he has been to he can only watch. what’s happening. terror and fear.
how indifferent we have become today when similar images fail to resonate with us.
something is happening
dramatic anticipation as the poet does not know what is going to happen. photographer is not wholly in control of the development process. Duffy allows us to “see” the horrific photograph develop before our eyes.
faintly start to twist
image/memory is slowly coming into focus as the photo develops twist reinforces idea of the pain he has witnessed.
half formed ghost
describes the way the figure is gradually appearing on the paper, while also alluding to the fact that since he no longer exists he has effectively become a ghost.
ghost connotes that he is being haunted by the past and the horrors hes seen
cries
wife’s loss is not expressed in words but through inarticulate cries
unable to speak the same language, he sought approval through the unspoken exchange of looks with the victim’s wife.
how, how
repetition memories hit him hard
Make him think
without words
alliteration asked permission to give mam dignity. too emotional to speak or they didn’t speak the same language.
blood stained
literally describing how blood has stained the desert sand. but also the metaphorical suggestion that human misery is a stain.
permanent
must a duty to record the truth.
a hundred agonies in black
conveys sheer numbers of horrors.
agonies reinforces intense pain felt
in black and white
clear no room for argument
shows he’s passionate
his editor will pick out five or six for sundays supplement
enjambment dismissive photographers efforts to raise awareness unsuccessful as his editor is only choosing a select few. lack of specific number creates a casual tone low number doesn’t really care.
readers eyeballs prick
seems emotional but word choice suggests sharp quick insignificant, pain, eyeballs suggests detachment to the simulation.
the bath and pre lunch beers
brief discomfort before continuing with life. indulgent and leasuly photos haven’t impacted them in any way.
feel pity for a while but then resume normal life
stares impassively
further idea of detachment or desensitization. feels as though he doesn’t belong in either world
earns his living
the only point of his pics. despair as he REALISES his pics aren’t helping anyone
they do not care
he is aware that he’s making no difference despite the suffering he is enduring,
