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 they are trying to shed light on.
• What is the mood in the darkroom where the war photographer works?


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

  Belfast, Beirut, and Phnom Penh
• How does the photographer feel about being in England away from violence?

  He feels relieved.
• What does the photographer remember as he sees his photos come into focus?

  He remembers the suffering of his subjects.
• What realization does the photographer have about the impact of his photos on the public?

  He realizes that the photo will only affect the reader momentarily.
• What does the photographer do while on the aeroplane?

  He stares impassively out the window.
• What does the religious simile in the poem suggest about the photographer's work?

  It suggests that his work is as important as a priest's, exposing him to death and suffering.
• How does the photographer's mood change from the scene of conflict to his darkroom?

  He was calm at the scene of conflict but is now agitated in the darkroom.
• What does the phrase "All flesh is grass" imply in the context of the poem?

  It suggests that life is transitory and fleeting.
• What does the auditory imagery in the poem develop?

  It creates a horrific image of the suffering captured in the photographs.
• What does the choice of the word "eyeballs" instead of "eyes" suggest about the readers' response?

  It suggests that their act of crying is mechanical and not genuine.
• What does the setting of the darkroom create in the poem?

  • A foreboding atmosphere
  • Reflects the serious nature of the photographer's work
• What conflicts are referenced in the poem?

  The Troubles in Ireland, the Siege of Beirut, and the Cambodian Civil War.
• How does the tone of the poem change when discussing "rural England"?

  Problems in rural England are trivial compared to the devastation of war.
• What does the phrase "half-formed ghost" refer to in the poem?


  It refers to the photographer's image not fully appearing on the photo paper and alludes to death.
• Why does the photographer feel his presence might be intrusive?

  He believes it is important to document conflict despite the potential intrusion.
• What does the phrase "the agonies of war are curated for the Sunday supplementary papers" imply?

  It suggests that the suffering is presented in a distasteful manner for public consumption.
• What does the alliteration in "eyeballs prick with tears" emphasize?

  It emphasizes the readers' frivolous nature and their superficial emotional response.
• How does the third-person perspective affect the poem's emotional impact?


  It reflects the detachment the photographer feels from the scenes of conflict.
• What is the structure and form of the poem "War Photographer"?

  • Six lines per stanza
  • Constant ABBCDD rhyme scheme
  • Reflects order amidst chaos
• What does the cyclic structure of the poem suggest?

  It creates a sense of futile repetition and indicates that the photographer's work has not changed anything.
• How does the photographer's internal conflict manifest in the poem?

  He struggles to reconcile his life in rural England with the horrors of conflict he has witnessed.
• What does the simile comparing the photographer to a priest imply?

  It suggests that he feels a duty to connect people at home to those suffering in war.
• What themes are explored in "War Photographer"?

  • Response to conflict
  • Suffering
  • Impact on civilians
  • The extensive scale of conflict
  • Futility
• How does Duffy use sibilance in "spools of suffering"?

  It creates the impression that the true nature of war is hushed and quietened.
• What does the asyndetic listing of "Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh" achieve?

  It highlights the extensive scale of conflict and creates an aggressive sound.
• What does the half rhyme between "the tears" and "the bath and pre-lunch beers" suggest?

  It shows the horrific speed with which people return to their privileged lives after glancing at the photos.
• 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.

  
  

  Differences:

  • "Charge of the Light Brigade" glorifies war, while "War Photographer" shows its harsh reality.