Seneca
Sign up

Summary

English Lit: AQA GCSE Poetry - Power & Conflict, topic 5.1.1

Summary of War Photographer

Here's a summary of what happens in Carol Ann Duffy's War Photographer:

Photography

Photography

  • The speaker describes a war photographer developing photos in his dark room.
Pictures

Pictures

  • The pictures depict huge suffering.
  • But the speaker describes how most people will glance over a few of them in the newspaper from the comfort of their safe home.
  • The speaker says they won't understand fully or do anything about, what they see.
Poet

Poet

  • Carol Ann Duffy is a Scottish poet who was appointed Britain's Poet Laureate in 2009.
  • She has won several awards, including an OBE for services to poetry.
Inspiration

Inspiration

  • Duffy’s own friendship with a war photographer is the inspiration behind the poem.
  • She explores the complex and potentially controversial role of a war photographer, who is so close to horrific events but can do nothing to help.
Purpose

Purpose

  • Carol Ann Duffy highlights how people in the West are isolated from the horrors of war in other parts of the world.
  • We are therefore desensitised to the suffering and only read about it before turning the page to something else.

Structure and Rhythm of War Photographer

The poem follows an ABBCDD rhyme scheme. The focus of the poem is constantly changing to show different perspectives on war.

Changing focus

Changing focus

  • The focus of the poem moves from:
  • The photographer.
  • To the images of war zones he developed.
  • To the lack of care of those living a safe life in the West.
  • To a brief reflection of the nonchalance (lack of interest or empathy) of the photojournalist towards the suffering.
Abbcdd rhyme scheme

Abbcdd rhyme scheme

  • The ABBCDD rhyme scheme in each stanza, with most lines being 10 syllables, seems a bit muddled.
  • It could reflect the photographer’s futile (useless) attempt to establish order in a chaotic and distressing situation.

Test yourself on Summary

  • Who wrote War Photographer?

  • Which of these are true about the pictures in War Photographer?

  • Which of these is NOT true about Carol Ann Duffy?

  • What does War Photographer suggest about people 'at home' during times of war?

  • Based on this poem, why might someone describe the role of a war photographer as controversial?

Practise this topic for free