War Photographer Flashcards
“finally alone”
Word Choice
Relieved to be out of the war zone, however is isolated from everyone, he doesn’t feel at home as he is depressed while trying to perceive the horrors he has just witnessed.
“spools of suffering”
Metaphor/Sibilance
‘S’ sound is drawn out to highlight the extreme amount of pain which the photographer has captured on his camera as he has many rolls of film as he has witnessed many horrific deaths.
“ordered rows”
Word Choice
Photographer try’s to find order in the chaos of war as he respects the deaths of the people in his photos by laying them out neatly which indicates the gravestones in a graveyard
“priest preparing to intone a mass.”
Imagery
Photographer linked to being a priest as he treats his pictures with great respect but with a sombre attitude as his job is serious, as they have the power to help end suffering hence they are important.
“Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh.”
Short Sentences
The poet uses plosive sounds to refer to the point that war is constant and happens all around the world, the photographer always has a job to do as nothing is being done to end theses horrific wars.
“All flesh is grass.”
Personification
Duffy quotes the bible to imply that human lives are delicate as we all end up dying, hence we should cherish what we have and take care of human lives better than we already do linking to our apathy to the lives lost at war.
“He has a job to do.”
Short Sentence
The photographer doesn’t really like his job, he does it as believe it is his duty to spread awareness so tries to forget about the horrors of war while working.
“Solutions slop in trays”
Imagery/Symbolism
His photographs could literally be the solution to ending wars around the world, the developing photos show the power which he holds.
“did not tremble then though seem to now.”
Imagery
A contrast between the photographer at home and war is shown, he has to act professional while working but back at home he feels vulnerable and guilty at what he has witnessed.
“ordinary pain”
Word Choice
People from England have never experienced real pain unlike the people living in war countries, at home the photographer deals with people in which the weather changes their mood.
“fields which don’t explode beneath the feet of running children in a nightmare heat.”
Imagery
Horrific image displays the brutality and violence of war, the photographer can’t help but feel guilty to seeing young innocent children dying while he can only watch instead of helping.
“half-formed ghost.”
Metaphor
As the picture develops the photographer begins to see the face of dead man, the image makes him feels as if he is being haunted by this mans ghost.
“sought approval”
Word Choice
The photographer has to live with the guilt that he takes pictures of dying people without consent, when all he wants to to help them.
“hundred agonies”
Word Choice
Emphasises the amount of suffering which the photographer has captured, his photos are all filled with misery.
“Sunday’s supplement.”
Word Choice
The photographs do not get the attention they deserve, people didn’t buy the paper to see the photos hence they just glance over them, indicating their apathy towards war.
