"War Photographer" Essay

Choose a poem which explores the theme of loneliness or isolation. Show how the poet explores the theme and discuss, to what extent, your appreciation of the theme was deepened by the poet's treatment.

In your answer you may refer closely to the text and to at least two of the following; theme, imagery, contrast, mood or any other appropriate feature.

"War Photographer", a moving poem by Carol Ann Duffy, explores the theme of isloation. The poem, based on an interview the poet had with "War Photographer", Don McCullin, reveals the dilemma within his work and how this work results in his isolation. Through the use of theme and imagery, Duffy successfully deepens the reader's appreciation of the theme of isolation.

The opening line of the poem is ambiguous. Duffy, choosing not to expose the true and horrific nature to war, instead introduces the Photographer's "darkroom" where he will develop the photographs he has taken:

"In his darkroom he is finally alone"

This could suggests that the photographer uses his "darkroom" to reflect on the darkness of the events that he has winessed. The words "finally alone" imply that this place is a sanctuary for him, a haven to escape the brutality of warfare which he, himself has seen and captured. Metaphorically, this "darkroom" could signify a confessional box in a church in which he feels he can face up to his sins and seek forgiveness for his work which he considers expoitative. In this first line, the reader is instantly given a real insight into this photographer's isolation, he chooses to isolate himself as he cannot face the public who don't understand the moral dilemma within his work.

The theme of religion is predominent throughout the poem. The Photographer is repeatedly compared to a priest as they share many similarities both in their work and their isolation. Duffy suggests that the developing of these photographs is closely linked to the work of a priest:

" The only light is red and softly glows/ as though this were a church and he/ a priest preparing to intone a mass."

The red light mentioned here, literally meaning the infra-red light in the darkroom, interestingly is often refered to as a "safe-light" which could further suggest the photographer's ...

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" The only light is red and softly glows/ as though this were a church and he/ a priest preparing to intone a mass."

The red light mentioned here, literally meaning the infra-red light in the darkroom, interestingly is often refered to as a "safe-light" which could further suggest the photographer's need to isolate himself away from the world. The word "softly" reveals the comfort and security the man feels when he "finally" gets to the developing stage of his work in a safe and secluded room. This "light" also has religious connotations as it could be interpreted as the small red candles in a chapel to represent the holy spirit. The reader is given the impression that the photographer, much like a priest, is a man on a mission – preparing to spread the words of truth. While revealing this, the two such different occupations become linked through the photographer and the preist's self inflicted isolation. They have both in a way, sacraficed themselves for the greater cause of informing the nation.

As the developing process progresses, so do the photographer's thoughts and memories of the horrors he has witnessed. The imagery used to represent this gives the audience a real insight into his line of thought and reveals the extent of which his work affects him psychologically:

"A stranger's features/ faintly start to twist before his eyes

a half-formed ghost"

The impersonality of "a stranger's features" reveals the widespread perception of these people as meerly another victim of a war-stricken country rather than a fellow human being. The fact that the victim appears to him "faintly" suggests that this is how the memory is coming back to him while the almost onomatopoeic use of "twist" implies real and immense suffering. This is all materializing "before his eyes" which reinforces that it was he, himself that took the photograph and therfore stood by and witnessed this tradgedy. An almost haunting atmosphere is given by the use of "ghost" while it could be a subtle reference to the spirit of Christ (often refered to as the "Holy Ghost") and its presence during Mass, it also suggests that the photographer will forever be reminded of these images – the price he must pay for doing his job. This gives the reader a deeper understanding of the photographer's moral dilemma in his work which inevitably keeps him secluded. It suggests that it's his knowledge of the world's problems and the public's ignorance of such problems that isolate him.

The Second stanza winesses the photographer faltering to develop the photograph. His emotions reveal to the audience that there's a reluctance within his work, that he forces himself to develop them just as he forces himself to do the job because he knows he must. The dilemma he faces everytime he takes a photograph is introduced in this stanza:

"He has a job to do. Solutions slop in trays

beneath the hands which did not tremble then"

The abruptness of the ceasura in this first line reveals that the photographer, when he goes through the developing process, must keep his wits about him and remind himself of why he must get on with it while the use of "tremble" further reinforces his reluctance to do the job. The audience is given the impression that the photographer gets little job-satisfaction from taking these photographs. It's this job which cuts him off from the rest of the world as virtually him alone knows these horrors and is willing to damage himself psychologically for the chance to see others taking an interest in, not his work, but what his work represents – the effects of war on the human race on a personal and up-close level. He is willing to isolate himself for this cause.

Carol Ann Duffy's "War Photographer", an account of a photographer isolated by his moral dilemma, succesfully deepens the audience's appreciation of the theme of isolation itself. Through the effective employment of theme and imagery, Duffy explores his dilemma and how it isolates him from the rest of the world. Yet, he continues with his work to try and change the public's perception of these victims as meer foreigners. The photographer, with the hope that his work will one day make a difference, continues to take photographs in the face of evil and soul destroying suffering.

Word count – 984 words