War Photographer Poem Analysis

Death is a predominant theme in the collection of poems, all of death portrayed in the poem lead to a similar interpretation of grief, regret and despair. Throughout the essay I will discuss the similarities and differences between the poems. Although the content of the poems are distinct, the views on death stay constant.

War photographer' by Carol Ann Duffy is a poem that explores the theme of death. In the poem, the photographer is developing images that he had taken. As the photos begin to develop the photographer reflects on the memories the photos conjure. ‘In his darkroom he is finally alone’ this suggests he is finally away from all the violence and chaos however this is oxymoronic as he is not alone but with his memories stained

The process of developing the photos is compared to intoning a mass, just as a priest prepares for a funeral to commemorate the dead, the war photographer develops images in remembrance of the victims. Duffy provokes the reader into considering their privilege by comparing how the word ‘problem’ has a different meaning in different places, ‘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’. Duffy presents the English as oblivious; they complain about petty issues whilst parents on the other side of the globe pray for food to feed their children. ‘War photographer’ gives the reader an insight to the true horror of war, which can’t be captured through the lens of a Canon

On one hand they are dying whilst on the other they are struggling to keep alive. Dylan Thomas has an intense view of death as he compares the end of life to a burning candle, ‘Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, Rage against the dying of light’. His use of these words suggest there is nothingness after death Dylan Thomas represents the life of his father as a day with the sun setting his approaching demise. ‘Explain Deal explicitly with Do not go gentle and then move on to midterm break’ Unlike others who would slowly accept their death Dylan Thomas demands his father to fight against death until the very last breath. Dylan Thomas poem seems to prepare for death however this concept contrasts to ‘Mid term break’ as the family in ‘Mid term break’ must come to terms with the demise of their loved one. Heaney’s poem links back to ‘Out of the blue’ as they both are a result of an unexpected catastrophe. Their different perspectives on death are conflict with one another as they both show how people mentally prepare and deal with the death of someone precious. This is evident as ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’ ends with “rage, rage against the dying of the light” whilst ‘Mid term Break’ ends with a very strong short sentence “A four-foot box. A foot for every year”. Despite the difference between the