The language in ‘War Photographer’ helps towards making war seem very dramatic, and also in showing the feelings of the photographer to the readers. The words, suffering and nightmare describe how negative and devastating war can be, and how heartbreaking it can be to families involved. The phrase, ‘ A hundred agonies in black and white from which the editor will pick out 5 or 6.’ Shows that the photographers hate towards his boss. The numbers 5 or 6 out of 100 show the insignificance of these deaths, and the lack of respect that the editor shows.
In the poem ‘Stealing’, language is used to portray the thief’s feelings towards his stealing, the outcasts feelings towards society and the lack of education that the thief has. The poem begins with the use of alliteration, the words mute, magnificence, moon midnight and mate show the readers anger, and his power. The loneliness and isolation that the thief feels is seen when s/he goes to the extremes of staling a snowman for company. The outcast is seen to be very cruel when he says, “the thrill was knowing the children would cry.” The thief is talking as though he believes that if he doesn’t receive love and affection then no one else should. The thief shows his anger towards society and towards the innocent snowman when he kicks it, ‘Again, Again.’ The colloquial wording such as ‘pinch’ shows the characters simplicity and lack of education.
The poet feels envious towards the outcast in the poem ‘Stealing’ as they have someone to love and care for them, which the thief doesn’t. The thief is craving for love and attention and is pleading to the audience. The poet tries to make you feel sorry for the thief and feel grateful for having someone. Again in the poem ‘War Photographer’ the poet is trying to make the audience feel empathetic towards the photographer and realise the devastating scenarios he has to take photos of. War isn’t seen to be real to the readers of the magazine but the photographer see the real heartache upfront and the pain and anguish on the faces of the soldiers.
Both poems are very similar. They both involve the theme of outcasts. The outcasts each has there own personal views on society and their behaviour reflects this. The thief satisfies his needs by stealing goods, and preventing other people enjoying them just as the thief never experienced love and happiness in the past. The photographer shows his anger not by actions but by strong emotive words.
