War Photographer Flashcards
“In his dark room he is finally”
Intimate and tranquil setting of his dark room. He’s normally surrounded by chaos and values this time alone - enjambment creates sense of reflection
“alone”
word choice place of peace and sanctuary after being confronted with horrors
“spools of suffering set out in ordered rows”
Alliteration draws attention to the horrific images and the fact he tries to restore order to the chaotic images
“only light is red and softly glows”
Connotations of the light that burns in Catholic churches to symbolise the presence of Christ - also bold - he’s seen a lot of this
“as though this were a church and he a priest preparing to intone a Mass”
Religious imagery - simile compares him to a priest - sense of ritual in the way he develops film - has seen difficult things - same respect a priest would have when preparing for communion
“Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh.”
One word sentences for each war zone he has photographed Each gets its own sentence to highlight how important it is to remember
“All flesh is grass”
From new testament - emphasises how fragile life is and that all must die
“He has a job to do”
Short sentence breaks calmness of darkroom and reminds him of his responsibility
“Solutions slop in trays”
Alliteration - ambiguous meaning - could be the chemicals used or his hope that the pictures may help to resolve the conflicts they depict
“beneath his hands, which did not tremble then though seem to now”
In order to do his job he must remain detached and professional - but when he’s alone the emotion gets to him
“Home again to ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel”
He notes the contrast between home and the war zones - our problems are sorted by good weather - no idea of real suffering
“to fields which don’t explode beneath the feet”
Our children don’t have to worry about landmines whilst playing - injustice
“of running children in a nightmare heat”
Famous photo of kids running from napalm attack in Vietnam helped end the conflict - but now we have become desensitised to these images
“Something is happening”
Adds drama and suspense - suggests he is not fully in control
“strangers features faintly start to twist before his eyes”
Suggests both the development of the picture and the pain of his last moments
“a half-formed ghost”
picture hasn’t developed fully but as the man no longer exists he has become a ghost - “ghost” has connotations of haunting - idea that these images haunt him
“how he sought approval without words to do what someone must”
Couldn’t communicate with the wife and had to rely purely on looks - like a priest - had to attend to his final moments - profession is a calling
“blood stained”
word choice - connotations of something permanent - always to be remembered
“A hundred agonies”
Connotations of extreme pain - highlights the suffering of these people
“from which his editor will pick out five or six”
Careless indifference of editor shows how little we care for the people suffering far away
“The reader’s eyeballs prick with tears between the bath and pre-lunch beers”
Bathos - insincere response from us - we feel pity for a while but then return to over indulgent lives
“From the aeroplane… at where he earns his living and they do not care”
Growing acceptance that despite his best efforts his photos will make no difference
“he states impassively”
He doesn’t feel that he belongs to either world
why did duffy write War Photographer
Duffy shares an affinity with war photographers - they use photography to convey truths about the human condition - she used words and language to do the same
