War Photographer: Structure and Literary Devices
This page examines the structure and literary devices employed in Carol Ann Duffy's War Photographer poem, highlighting how these elements contribute to the overall impact and meaning of the work.
Structure:
The poem consists of four six-line stanzas, creating a sense of order and control that contrasts with the chaotic subject matter. This structure might represent the photographer's attempt to bring order to the disorder he witnesses.
Rhyme Scheme:
The poem follows an ABBCDD rhyme scheme in each stanza, providing a subtle musical quality that enhances the flow of the narrative.
Literary Devices:
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Metaphor: The poem is rich in metaphorical language, such as "spools of suffering" to describe the rolls of film containing distressing images.
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Contrast: Duffy employs stark contrasts throughout the poem, juxtaposing the safety of "Rural England" with the danger of war zones, and the photographer's professional detachment with his personal emotions.
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Imagery: Vivid visual imagery is used to convey the horrors of war and the process of developing photographs, such as "a half-formed ghost" appearing in the darkroom.
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Allusion: The line "All flesh is grass" is a biblical allusion, adding depth to the theme of mortality and the transient nature of life.
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Personification: The poem personifies the photographs, describing them as having "a half-formed ghost" and features that "twist," giving life to the inanimate images.
Example: The line "to fields which don't explode beneath the feet of running children in a nightmare heat" uses vivid imagery to contrast the safety of England with the dangers of war zones.
Highlight: The structure of the poem, with its ordered stanzas and rhyme scheme, mirrors the photographer's attempt to bring order to chaos through his work.
Quote: "He has a job to do" emphasizes the photographer's professional detachment, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
These structural and literary elements work together to create a powerful exploration of the emotional impact of war photography, enhancing the themes of contrast, change, and the psychological toll of witnessing conflict.
