War Photographer

Introduction to “War Photographer”

  • “War Photographer” is a profound poem created by Carol Ann Duffy, providing a lens into the grim reality of war and the impact on individuals who document these tragedies.
  • The poem is viewed through the eyes of a war photographer, showcasing the vivid and painful realities of the struggles he has witnessed.

Themes

  • War and Violence: The harsh realities of war are depicted through the images developed by the war photographer.
  • Suffering and Empathy: As the photographer develops his photos, the pain and suffering in the images forces the reader to empathise with those impacted by war.
  • Media Responsibility: Duffy critiques the media’s handling of war images, questioning the detached way in which war is often presented to the public.

Key Techniques and Analysis

  • The metaphor “his darkroom is a church” creates an intense atmosphere, evoking a sense of seriousness and gravity associated with religious places.
  • Duffy uses juxtaposition to contrast the peaceful setting of the darkroom with the violent images in the photographs.
    • This is seen in phrases like “…he remembers the cries of this man’s wife, how he sought approval without words to do what someone must.”
  • Sensory language is used to evoke intense imagery.
    • Phrases like “all flesh is grass” and “a hundred agonies in black-and-white” trigger strong emotions and encourage the reader to empathise with the victims.
  • The use of framing and perspective, as seen in the quote “he has a job to do”, works to simultaneously distance but also humanise the war photographer.

Structure and Form

  • The poem is composed in four six-line stanzas, Indicating a deliberateness and orderliness that mirrors the methodical process of the photographer.
  • Though mainly written in free verse, the rhyming scheme adds a rhythmic element, reflecting the cyclicality and repetitive nature of the photographer’s job.
  • The poem uses enjambment, which reinforces the ongoing and relentless nature of the photographer’s grim work.

Conclusion

  • “War Photographer” by Carol Ann Duffy powerfully conveys the tragic realities of war through the perspective of an individual who documents these horrors. Duffy uses a variety of techniques ranging from metaphors to framing, to evoke emotions and prompt critical thinking on the handling of war in media, and the human cost often overlooked.