Introduction
War Photographer and Remains are two poems that explore the theme of war and its aftermath. Both poems are written by different poets, but they share similarities in terms of their content and style. In this article, we will compare and contrast War Photographer and Remains, analyzing the key differences and similarities between the two poems.
Themes
One of the main themes in War Photographer and Remains is the impact of war on individuals. In War Photographer, the photographer is depicted as a witness to the horrors of war, capturing the devastating effects of conflict in his photographs. In Remains, the speaker describes the psychological trauma he experiences after participating in a violent incident during the war. Both poems highlight the ways in which war can leave lasting scars on those who are involved.
Tone and Language
The tone and language used in War Photographer and Remains are also notable similarities between the two poems. Both poems use vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the emotions of the speakers. War Photographer, for example, uses the metaphor of a "spools of suffering set out in ordered rows" to describe the photographs taken by the photographer. Remains, on the other hand, uses visceral language to describe the violence of the incident that the speaker witnessed. Both poems use language to convey the visceral impact of war on individuals.
Structure
The structure of War Photographer and Remains is also similar in some ways. Both poems are written in free verse, with no strict rhyme or meter. This allows the poets to experiment with the form of the poem and create a more organic, natural flow. Additionally, both poems use enjambment, where lines run on into the next without punctuation. This creates a sense of momentum and urgency in both poems.
Differences in Content
While War Photographer and Remains share many similarities, there are also some key differences in terms of content. War Photographer focuses on the role of the photographer in documenting the horrors of war, while Remains is a more personal account of one soldier's experience. War Photographer is also more detached and objective in its tone, while Remains is more immediate and visceral in its description of the violence and trauma of war.
Differences in Tone and Language
Similarly, there are differences in the tone and language used in War Photographer and Remains. War Photographer is more restrained and objective in its language, focusing more on the photographer's role as a witness to the horrors of war. Remains, on the other hand, uses more visceral language to convey the trauma and violence experienced by the speaker. Additionally, while both poems have a somber tone, War Photographer has a more elegiac tone, while Remains is more urgent and immediate in its portrayal of the impact of war on individuals.
Conclusion
War Photographer and Remains are two powerful poems that explore the theme of war and its aftermath. While they share many similarities in terms of their themes, structure, and language, there are also key differences in their content and tone. By comparing and contrasting these two poems, we gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which war can impact individuals and the ways in which poets can use language to convey these experiences.
