War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy

Question 1

What is the context of war photographer?

Answer 1

Duffy is friends with two famous war photographers, hence why she is interested in the difficulties and responsibilities posed by their role.
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Question 2

What effect does the rigid form have on the poem? (form)

Answer 2

A tight form of 6 lines per stanza + constant ABBCDD rhyme scheme - at odds with the chaos caused by conflict, and perhaps reflects the order of ‘rural England’.
As this structure remains unchanged, it reflects the powerlessness of the photographer to change anything as his work falls upon an unreceptive audience.

Question 3

What effect does rigid form have on the poem? (structure)

Answer 3

The structure reflects the meticulous way in which to photographer works, as he places his photos into ordered rows - this sombre, careful ritual is perhaps his way of trying to maintain a sense of normality/ control his thoughts and emotions, which threaten to overwhelm him

Question 4

What effect does the cyclical structure have on the poem? (structure)

Answer 4

Poem ends by describing the photographer returning to the warzone he came from.
This creates a sense of futile repetition and continuation of past mistakes - it acts as evidence that the photographer’s work is fruitless.
The poem ends on a defeated note, the photographer’s sense of the readers’ superficial sentimentality contrasts the firm sense of vocation that he expresses earlier + the religious imagery which highlights the importance of his work