War Photographer

Question 1

Give a brief summary based on Hate

Answer 1

This poem is seen through a war photographer’s eyes. Conflict and hatred is caught on camera by photographers who are deeply affected by what they see.

Question 2

State quotes based on Hate

Answer 2

• “blood turned into foreign dust” Word choice - this land is forever marked by the suffering of people
• “ordered rows” Word choice ‘ordered rows’ brings to mind the image of rows of tombstones/mass were the graves of the soldiers lay, creating a image of the horror of war.
• “A hundred agonies” Emphasises the amount of deaths he had to record.

Question 3

Give a brief summary based on Isolation/Loneliness

Answer 3

The vocation of a war photographer means long hours travelling and being privy to very disturbing events; it is their job to capture them on camera. The narrator, a war photographer, feels isolated and lonely in his plight to educate those who have been desensitised to such images.

Question 4

State the quotes based on Isolation/Loneliness

Answer 4

• “finally alone” Word choice - suggests he has been desperate to escape someone or something. Anticipating a sense of relief and peace.
• “He has a job to do” Short sentence - blunt can’t dwel on feelings.
• “stares impassively” Emotionally detached from suffering staring vacantly, not taking it in.

Question 5

Give a brief summary based on Suffering

Answer 5

In ‘War Photographer’, the suffering of victims of war is clear. The war photographer is also evident as the persona is clearly traumatised by what they have witnessed at war.

Question 6

State quotes based on Suffering

Answer 6

• “A hundred agonies.” Word choice emphasises the amount of deaths he had to record.
• “A half-formed ghost” Word Choice - The image is half-formed and shows a dead man. The image haunts him.
• “ordered rows” The ‘ordered rows’ brings to mind the image of rows of tombstones/mass were the graves of the soldiers lays, creating a image of the horror of war.

Question 7

Give a brief summary based on Powerful Memories

Answer 7

In this poem the persona, a war photographer, in haunted by the images that he has seen whilst doing his job.

Question 8

State quotes based off Powerful memories

Answer 8

• “A half-formed ghost” The image is half-formed and shows a dead man. The image haunts him.
• “A hundred agonies” Emphasises the amount of tragedies he had to record.
• “Ordered rows” Word choice of ‘ordered rows’ makes us think about rows of tombstones/mass where the soldiers lay, making us think of the horror of the war.

Question 9

Give a brief summary based on Sentence structure/enjambment

Answer 9

Duffy uses enjambment, where there is a deliberate line break in order to place emphasis on particular words for effect. Generally, Duffy uses this technique here to demonstrate the contrast between the pain and horror of war, and the disinterest felt by first world countries towards this.

Question 10

State quotes based on Sentence struture/enjambment

Answer 10

• “the readers eye balls prick with tears between the bath and pre-lunch beers.” Metaphor public force an insincere emotional reaction but carry on with daily lives.
• “Home again to ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel” Our problems seem insignificant compared to victims of war. Does he feel guilty.

Question 11

Give a brief summary based on Sounds

Answer 11

In this poem, Duffy generally uses this technique in order to highlight the rapidness of the changes with the relationship between King Midas and Mrs Midas.

Question 12

State quotes based on Sounds

Answer 12

• “spools of suffering” Repetition of consonant ‘s’ sound - each sound is clearly and metaphorically mulled out; mirroring the repetitive arrangement of spools, contrasting with human suffering.
• “Belfast. Beirut. Phnom. Penh” Replaced words used in mass with names of war zones. Highlights scale of conflict.