Stanza 2: Confronting Memories
The second stanza of "War Photographer" delves deeper into the photographer's process of developing his images and confronting the memories they evoke. The stark contrast between his experiences in war zones and the peace of rural England is highlighted.
Highlight: The line "He has a job to do" emphasizes the photographer's attempt to maintain professional detachment.
The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the development process, with "Solutions slop in trays" creating an unsettling parallel between photographic chemicals and spilled blood. This metaphor serves to bring the horrors of war into the seemingly safe space of the darkroom.
Vocabulary: Onomatopoeia - A word that phonetically imitates the sound it describes.
The word "slop" is an example of onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of liquid moving in trays and evoking the unsettling image of blood.
Quote: "beneath his hands, which did not tremble then though seem to now"
This line reveals the photographer's delayed emotional response. His hands were steady while taking photos in dangerous situations but tremble now in the safety of his darkroom, suggesting the psychological impact of his experiences.
The poem contrasts the war zones with "Rural England," emphasizing the disconnect between the photographer's experiences and the peaceful life at home. This juxtaposition is further developed with the phrase "ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel," highlighting the vast difference between the suffering he has witnessed and the minor discomforts of everyday life in England.
Definition: Caesura - A pause or break in a line of poetry, often for emphasis or to create a particular rhythm.
The use of caesura in "Rural England. Home again" emphasizes the sharp transition between war zones and the photographer's peaceful home, underscoring the emotional and physical distance between these two worlds.
