War photographer analysis Flashcards
In his darkroom he is finally alone
Word choice of “finally” gives the denotation of waiting to be alone for a long time, and the connotation that the WP has longed for peace for a long time.
With spools of suffering set out in ordered rows.
Transferred epithet “spools of suffering” gives the human quality of suffering to the developing photos to give the denotation that the spools are suffering, and the connotation that the spools contain extreme images of others suffering.
The only light is red and softly glows.
Colour imagery of red is used, to show the symbols of anger and war.
Word choice of “softly” shows denotation of gentle action, and shows the contrasting effect of the light being calming.
As though this were a church, and he a priest preparing to intone a mass.
“As though this were a church” is an example of a simile, which gives the denotation of the darkroom being a church, to give the connotation of the darkroom having a serious and respectful tone.
“And he a priest preparing to intone a mass” is another simile showing the same thing
Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh. All flesh is grass.
Minor sentences of “Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh.” Are used, they are used to give emphasis to the three war torn cities, and make the atrocities that occurred there more vivid.
The poet uses a tricolon here as well, as a form of repetition, repeating three different war zones to emphasise how many war zones there are, and show how important the war photographers job is.
“All flesh is grass.” Is another minor sentence, highlighting the biblical reference, meaning that at some point we will all die and be buried in the ground.
He has a job to do.
Is an example of caesura, where the poet uses the full stop to make the reader stop and reflect on how the war photographer must continue to have a quality of inhumane professionalism about him whilst doing his job.
Solutions slop in trays beneath his hands which didn’t tremble then though seem to now.
Ambiguity of “solutions slop” is used, to talk about the materials of the photo being developed moving around, but also having the double meaning of meaning a way to solve a problem, showing the connotation of how these photos are a way of stoping war.
Solutions slop in trays beneath his hands which didn’t tremble then though seem to now.
Ambiguity of “solutions slop” is used, to talk about the materials of the photo being developed moving around, but also having the double meaning of meaning a way to solve a problem, showing the connotation of how these photos are a way of stoping war.
“Didn’t tremble then though seem to now.” is an example of caesura which makes the reader reflect on how the WP is becoming more human and losing his professionalism, due to seeing the atrocities he has captured from a safe environment.
Rural England.
An example of a minor sentence, Used to highlight his peaceful and safe environment.
Home again to ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel.
“Ordinary pain”Is an example of an oxymoron, since pain isn’t or shouldn’t be ordinary, ordinary means normal, which shows the twisted nature of how the War Photographer experiences emotional pain on a daily basis due to his experience in the his work, highlighting the atrocities of war.
To fields which don’t explode beneath the feet of children running in a nightmare heat.
“Don’t” is a negative showing this doesn’t happen.
“Explode beneath the feet of children running in a nightmare heat.” Is a transferred epithet, where the poet gives the quality of a terrifying dream to the heat, to show the connotation of how scary the fire is and highlight the atrocities of war. They also use synecdoche referring to the feet of the children as the whole of them, to show
