War Photographer

• Who is the author of the poem "War Photographer"?

  Carol Ann Duffy
• What does the war photographer contemplate while developing his photos?

  He realizes that the public does not care about the issues he tries to highlight.
• What is the mood of the darkroom in "War Photographer"?

  • Calm but sombre
  • Reflects the serious nature of his work
• What locations experiencing conflict are mentioned in the poem?

  The Troubles in Ireland, the Siege of Beirut, and the Cambodian Civil War.
• How does the photographer feel about being in England away from violence?

  He feels relieved.
• What does the cyclic structure of the poem suggest about the photographer's work?

  It shows the futility of his attempts to make a change.
• What does the phrase "running children in a nightmare heat" refer to?

  It references a famous photo of a girl in a napalm attack during the Vietnam War.
• What are the key themes explored in "War Photographer"?

  • The indifference of the public to war
  • The emotional toll of documenting suffering
  • The contrast between war zones and peaceful settings
• What does the term "half-formed ghost" imply about the photographer?

  It suggests that his image has not fully appeared on the photo paper and alludes to his emotional state.
• How does the poet use language to convey the atmosphere in the darkroom?

  Words like "darkness" and "suffering" create a foreboding atmosphere.
• What does the use of alliteration in the poem emphasize?

  It emphasizes the readers' frivolous nature.
• What does the phrase "the reader's eyeballs prick with tears" suggest about their emotional response?

  It suggests that their tears are almost mechanical and not a genuine emotional response.
• How does the poem reflect the photographer's internal conflict?

  • He feels a sense of duty but believes the public does not care.
  • His calmness at the scene contrasts with his agitation while developing photos.
• What does the phrase "All flesh is grass" imply in the context of the poem?

  It suggests that life is transitory and fleeting.
• How does the structure of the poem reflect the photographer's meticulous work?

  The tight form and ordered rows of photos reflect his careful and methodical approach.
• What does the phrase "he stares impassively at where he earns his living" reveal about the photographer's feelings towards his work?

  It reveals his sense of detachment and the public's indifference to his work.
• What parallels are drawn between the roles of a priest and a war photographer in the poem?

  • Both are exposed to death and suffering.
  • Both have a sense of duty to document and bear witness.
• How does the poem's ending contribute to its overall message?

  It ends on a defeated note, highlighting the photographer's realization of the readers' indifference.
• What is the significance of the phrase "solutions slop in trays beneath his hands"?

  It refers to the developing process of photographs.
• What does the use of auditory imagery in the poem contribute to its themes?

  It develops the horrific images created by the war photographer's experiences.
• How does the third-person perspective affect the reader's understanding of the photographer's emotions?

  It reflects the detachment the photographer feels from the conflict and the public.
• What does the rigid structure of the poem symbolize?

  • The order of "rural England"
  • The chaos caused by conflict
  • The lack of power to change anything
• What does the photographer's careful ritual of organizing photos suggest about his mental state?

  It suggests he is trying to maintain a sense of normality and control over overwhelming thoughts and emotions.
• How does the cyclical structure of the poem affect its overall message?

  It creates a sense of futile repetition and highlights the photographer's realization that his work has not changed anything.
• What realization does the photographer come to at the end of the poem?

  He realizes that the listeners do not care about the suffering he documents.
• What simile is used to compare the photographer's work to a priest's duties?

  The simile compares him to "a priest preparing to impart a mass".
• How does the photographer view "rural England" in relation to conflict?

  He views it through a comparative lens, noticing the absence of violence and chaos.
• What does the phrase "hundred agonies" imply about the photographer's feelings towards conflict zones?


  It implies he feels a deep sense of pain and responsibility for those suffering in war.
• What does the use of the collective pronoun "they" signify in the poem?

  It creates an accusatory tone that could invoke feelings of guilt in the reader.
• What does the sibilant alliteration in "solutions slop in trays" signify?


  It highlights the significance of the phrase, suggesting the photographer's attempt to offer solutions to conflicts.
• How does the metaphor "half formed ghost" reflect the photographer's role?

  It reflects his role in preserving the memory of those who have died in conflict.
• What juxtaposition is present throughout the poem regarding imagery?

  There is a juxtaposition between lexis from the semantic field of violence and religious imagery.
• How does Duffy's use of sibilance in "spools of suffering" affect the reader's perception of war?

  It creates the impression that the true nature of war is hushed and quietened, allowing people to ignore it.
• What does the description of the dust as "foreign" imply about the English people's perspective on conflict?


  It implies a distinction that allows them to easily ignore the suffering occurring abroad.
• How does the tone established in the photographer's darkroom contribute to the poem's themes?

  It establishes a sinister tone that reflects the horrors he has witnessed, emphasizing his solitude and emotional burden.
• What literary device does Duffy use in "Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh" and what effect does it have?

  Duffy uses asyndetic listing, which creates an aggressive sound and highlights the extensive impact of war.
• What does the half rhyme between "the tears" and "between the bath and pre-lunch beers" suggest?

  It suggests the horrific speed with which people return to their privileged lives after briefly acknowledging suffering.
• What are the similarities and differences between "War Photographer" and "Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  Similarities:

  • Both present characters with a sense of duty to others.
  • The photographer feels a duty to war victims, while soldiers feel duty to their leaders.

  
  

  Differences:

  • Tennyson glorifies war with grand imagery, while Duffy shows the harsh reality of war.