War Photographer Flashcards
In his dark room he is finally alone
It’s a place of peace and calm, safe from the dangers of his work, the photographer is an outsider.
The word choice of ‘finally’ has connotations of desperation and relief.
The word choice of ‘alone’ provides a contrast with the disorder and chaos of the events that he records.
with spools of suffering set out in ordered rows
The sibilance with the harsh ‘s’ sound reminds the reader of the harsh world he works in.
The personification highlights how spools can’t suffer but the images they hold are of suffering.
The word choice of ‘ordered; highlights how the spools are being compared to soldiers, dead or alive.
The word choice of ‘ordered rows’ suggests how the the photographer tries to control and bring into orderliness what he has recorded because he cannot control the atrocities he witnesses.
The only light is red and softy glows
The word choice and oxymoron suggests he feels guilt and has witnessed and photographed these terrible deeds.
‘red’ has connotations of blood and suffering, he brings light to the connotations of danger and blood lost in the war, but it also relates to the light in the room where he develops the photo taken during war.
as though this were a church and he
/
a priest preparing to intone a mass
The alliteration and simile highlights how he is compared to a priest and there is a definite sense of ritual in the way he develops his film.
The simile conveys his reverence and devotion to the picture, it mirrors the respect of a funeral. This demonstrates his dedication and how his job is part of his identity.
Belfast. Beruit. Phnom Penh. All flesh is grass.
The short and minor sentence depicts the list of places where he has recorded images of conflict. This illustrates the extent of unrest in the world.
‘All flesh is grass’ is a phrase from the Old Testament which is often interpreted as meaning that life is fleeting.
He has a job to do. Solutions slop in trays
The short sentence inferring the need to ignore his emotional response. He has business to complete. this is reinforced by the businesslike tone created by monosyllables and the short sentence.
“Solutions slop in trays’ has a double meaning, referring to the onomatopoeic sound of the chemicals used to develop but also the hope that in some way these photographs may help to bring about a solution to the conflicts they depict.
beneath his hands, which did not tremble then though seem to now.
Word choice of ‘tremble’ has connotations of weakness and an uncontrollable fear. Enjambment illustrates ironic emotional response, unable to feel in the moment of taking the photograph and these locked emotions are freed into safety of his dark room.
Rural England. Home again
Short sentence. ‘rural’ has connotations of an idealised peaceful countryside setting. Creates contrast between photographers’ home and war zones.
to ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel,
to fields which don’t explode beneath the feet
Emphasis is laid on the safety and peaceful life at home, shocking image, and contrast with the violence abroad. The photographer has returned to England from an assignment abroad.
of running children in a nightmare heat.
Word choice of ‘nightmare heat’ creates an image of hell. Complete opposite to the comforting, green image of rural England.
Contrast: barefoot children running in grass for fun/those running from war- end of innocence and possibly life.
Something is happening.
Short sentence injects drama and suspense into poem. It brings us back to the task of hand and the photographer’s dark room.
A stranger’s features faintly start to twist before his eyes,
‘twist’ has connotations of pain and distortion. This portrays the suffering of the civilians in war. This line literally refers to the process of the photograph coming into focus in a developing tray.
a half-formed ghost.
The metaphor describes the way the figure gradually appearing on the paper, while also alluding to the fact that since he no longer exists, he has effectively become a ghost. Conveys the idea of death, furthermore, the image of the man is haunting the photographer.
He remembers the cries of this man’s wife, how he sought approval
He is aware that his presence might seem intrusive but believes it is important to document conflict.
without words to do what someone must
Characterisation- photographers dilemma – while the photographer respects the woman’s privacy, he knows it is his job to record the pain she is enduring. Enjambment emphasises the tension of the moment.
