"War Photographer" is a powerful poem written by Carol Ann Duffy that examines the inner turmoil and emotional toll faced by photographers who cover war and conflict. These photographers are tasked with documenting the horrors of war, often at great personal risk, in order to bring the reality of conflict to the public eye.
The poem begins with a description of the photographer's daily routine, as he develops his film in a makeshift darkroom. The contrast between the mundane act of developing film and the harrowing images captured on that film highlights the disconnection that the photographer feels from his work. He is able to compartmentalize the horrors he has seen, distancing himself from the emotional impact of the violence he has witnessed.
However, the photographer is not immune to the trauma of war. The poem describes the way that the images of violence and suffering haunt him, "flashing through his nightmares, breaking and bleeding." The photographer is unable to escape the memories of what he has seen, and the poem suggests that this constant exposure to violence and suffering has a profound impact on his mental health.
Despite the personal cost of his work, the photographer remains committed to his profession. He is driven by a sense of duty to document the realities of war, even if it means putting himself in harm's way. The final lines of the poem capture this sense of purpose, as the photographer prepares to return to the front lines: "he is a witness, / they cannot ignore, the one / they depend upon to tell / the truth."
In "War Photographer," Carol Ann Duffy shines a light on the sacrifices and struggles of photographers who cover conflict. These photographers are often overlooked and undervalued, but their work is essential in bringing the realities of war to the public consciousness. The poem serves as a tribute to their bravery and dedication, and serves as a reminder of the human cost of war.
Free Essay: 'War Photography' Carol Ann Duffy
This line emphasises these themes of death and the effects of war, as it suggests that the photographer is deeply distressed as it highlights the inner battle he encounters when developing the photos. Every photograph is in some sense a document of something else, therefore giving it truthful merit. The poem begins with a depiction of the war picture taker remaining solitary in his dim room. The poem results from Duffy's friendship with Don McCullin and Philip Jones Griffiths, two highly-respected stills photographers who specialised in documenting war. These reoccurring themes create a depressing tone, making the reader sympathetic but only for a short time. The Name Of War, Jill Lepore Book Review The Name of War: King Philip's War and the Origins of American Identity Our history books continue to present our country's story in conventional patriotic terms. This effectively portrays the traumatic life of the war photographer and how his life is continually intertwined with war, even if he is not on the battlefield, his memories and photos are always with him.
War Photographer By Carol Ann Duffy Essay Example
All in all, both poets try to demonstrate the horrors of war, but it is impossible to do so. Grass is very numerous and in the war each life is also. Equiano on the other hand, gives a historical account of his life, turning to God to thank him for protecting him when he needed protection, and offering praise to God for doing something good for him. We been told that one day asteroids will destroy us. In the third …show more content… The persona creates this strong contrast between the war zone and his home creating almost a second world to show how little they are affected by each other.
Carol Ann Duffy War Photographer Essay
The surface subject of the poem is the war photographer of the title but at a deeper level the poem explores the difference between "Rural England" and places where wars are fought Northern Ireland, the Lebanon and Cambodia , between the comfort or indifference of the newspaper editor and its readers and the suffering of the people in the photographs. Though this boy died an innocent, war allowed no time to give his death dignity, which makes the horror so more poignant and haunting. The second Australian photographic Artist, Bill Henson. It provides a purpose by allowing individuals to picture war as a mean to understand it and even avoid… Compare the Ways Poets Present Breakdown of a Relationship in 'Quick Draw' and One Other Problem from Relationships The imagery in this poem is relating to the human body, like broken ribs and punctured lungs; and the mechanics of familiar objects. The use of pathos stirs up emotions of sympathy, sorrow, and despair. It also reinforces the continuity and frequent occurrence of war, which is inevitable. The Preludes describe blacks during the era before the Civil War and their struggle to over come slavery and describes the causes, course and consequences of the war.
The Topic Of War In The Poems Of Carol Ann Duffy And Robert Bly: Free Essay Example, 806 words
Timothy Findley's The Wars Timothy Findley's The Wars War has been a constant part of human history. The red light is stereotyped to the colour of blood that the photographer has seen, further pushing the extended metaphor of a priest in a church, making him feel like a priest getting ready for a mass memorial service. Also, the fact that children are mentioned makes us feel compassionate as children are associated with innocence. A photograph triggers a memory, a sense of nostalgia engulfs and naturally, a smile appears. Both artists use historical, well known paintings and combine them with contemporary news photographs, to create different sorts of propaganda. The Photographer is repeatedly compared to a priest as they share many similarities both in their work and their isolation.
