War Photographer (Carole Ann Duffy)

War Photographer by Carole Ann Duffy is included in the GCSE English Literature Poetry Anthology "Power and Conflict," which features poems exploring various dimensions of power, including its manifestations in warfare. Carol Ann Duffy, the former poet laureate of the United Kingdom, draws on her own observations and research to craft a deeply moving portrayal of the experiences of war photographers. You can read the poem below and will find detailed analysis further down the page.

War Photographer By Carol Ann Duffy

In his dark room he is finally alone 
with spools of suffering set out in ordered rows. 
The only light is red and softly glows, 
as though this were a church and he 
a priest preparing to intone a Mass. 
Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh. All flesh is grass.

He has a job to do. Solutions slop in trays
beneath his hands, which did not tremble then 
though seem to now. Rural England. Home again 
to ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel, 
to fields which don’t explode beneath the feet 
of running children in a nightmare heat.

Something is happening. A stranger’s features 
faintly start to twist before his eyes, 
a half-formed ghost. He remembers the cries 
of this man’s wife, how he sought approval 
without words to do what someone must 
and how the blood stained into foreign dust.

A hundred agonies in black and white
from which his editor will pick out five or six 
for Sunday’s supplement. The reader’s eyeballs prick 
with tears between the bath and pre-lunch beers. 
From the aeroplane he stares impassively at where 
he earns his living and they do not care.

Analysis

Themes

Witness and Responsibility: Central to the poem is the theme of witnessing and responsibility. Duffy explores the role of the war photographer as a witness to human suffering, highlighting the ethical and moral responsibilities that come with bearing witness to conflict. The photographer's duty to document the truth is contrasted with the indifference of the outside world, emphasising the importance of bringing the realities of war to light.

Memory and Remembrance: "War Photographer" also delves into themes of memory and remembrance. The photographs captured by the photographer serve as lasting reminders of the horrors of war, preserving the memories of those who have suffered and died. Through the act of photography, the photographer seeks to memorialise the experiences of the victims and ensure that they are not forgotten.

Isolation and Alienation: The poem explores the sense of isolation and alienation experienced by the war photographer. Despite being surrounded by people, the photographer remains emotionally detached and disconnected from the world around him. His experiences in conflict zones have left him emotionally scarred and desensitised, leading to a sense of isolation from those who cannot comprehend the horrors he has witnessed.

Imagery and Language

Duffy employs vivid imagery and powerful language to evoke the stark realities of war. Descriptions of "spools of suffering" and "a hundred agonies in black-and-white" create a visceral sense of the pain and suffering endured by victims of conflict. The use of juxtaposition, such as "ordinary pain" and "ordinary weather," highlights the contrast between the mundane realities of everyday life and the extraordinary horrors of war.

Structure and Form

"War Photographer" is structured as a series of four quatrains, with a regular rhyme scheme (ABBA). This structured form contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of war, underscoring the photographer's attempts to impose order and meaning on the chaos he witnesses. The repetition of the phrase "he aches for" emphasizes the photographer's longing for connection and understanding amidst the devastation he encounters.

Tone and Perspective

The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, as the speaker grapples with the moral complexities of documenting conflict. Duffy adopts a third-person perspective, allowing for a degree of emotional distance from the subject matter while still conveying the photographer's inner turmoil. The use of reported speech, such as "a stranger's features," reinforces the sense of detachment and objectivity maintained by the photographer in the face of human suffering.

Characterisation

While "War Photographer" primarily focuses on the experiences of the photographer, Duffy also offers glimpses into the lives of those affected by war. Through descriptions of "the reader's eyeballs prick / with tears," Duffy humanises the victims of conflict, inviting readers to empathise with their pain and suffering. The photographer emerges as a complex and conflicted figure, torn between his duty to document the truth and his desire to protect his own emotional well-being.

Social Commentary

Through the lens of the war photographer's experiences, Duffy offers a broader commentary on the nature of conflict and the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of war. The poem highlights the disconnect between the sanitised images of war presented in the media and the harsh realities faced by those on the ground. By exposing the limitations of photography as a medium for conveying the full extent of human suffering, Duffy challenges readers to confront their own complicity in perpetuating the cycle of violence.

Conclusion

"War Photographer" by Carol Ann Duffy is a powerful meditation on the moral complexities of documenting conflict. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and nuanced characterisation, the poem invites readers to reflect on the responsibilities of bearing witness to human suffering and the enduring impact of war on individuals and communities alike. As part of the GCSE English Literature Poetry Anthology "Power and Conflict," "War Photographer" serves as a stark reminder of the power of art to provoke empathy and understanding in the face of injustice and oppression.

You can find analysis of all the Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology Poems here.