Introduction
War photography is a genre of photography that captures the realities of war and its effects on people and their surroundings. It is a powerful way to document the violence, destruction, and suffering that occurs during wars. In this essay, we will compare two war photography poems: "War Photographer" by Carol Ann Duffy and "Remains" by Simon Armitage. Both poems explore the impact of war on individuals, and we will analyze their similarities and differences.
War Photographer
"War Photographer" is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy that explores the experiences of a war photographer who takes pictures of conflicts around the world. The photographer's job is to capture the horrors of war and bring them to the attention of the public. The poem describes the photographer's feelings of detachment and isolation as he takes pictures of people who are suffering and dying.
The poem begins with the photographer arriving back in England after a long trip. He is in his darkroom, developing the pictures he took in war zones. The photographer is careful not to let his emotions get in the way of his work, but he cannot help feeling the pain of the people he has seen. The poem suggests that even though the photographer is detached from the war, he is still affected by it.
One of the key themes of "War Photographer" is the power of images to convey the reality of war. The photographer's pictures are graphic and disturbing, and they have the power to shock people out of their complacency. The poem suggests that the photographer is a kind of witness to the atrocities of war, and his pictures are a testimony to the horrors that people suffer in times of conflict.
Remains
"Remains" is a poem by Simon Armitage that tells the story of a soldier who is haunted by his experiences during the Iraq war. The soldier is part of a group that is sent to deal with looters who are stealing from a bank. During the operation, the soldier shoots a man who is trying to escape.
The poem describes the aftermath of the shooting, as the soldier struggles to come to terms with what he has done. The soldier is haunted by the image of the man he shot, and he cannot escape the guilt and shame that he feels. The poem suggests that war has a profound impact on individuals, and that the trauma of war can last long after the conflict has ended.
One of the key themes of "Remains" is the dehumanizing effect of war on soldiers. The soldier in the poem is not able to see the man he shoots as a human being, but as an enemy. The poem suggests that war can make people see others as less than human, and that this dehumanization can have lasting consequences.
Comparison
Both "War Photographer" and "Remains" explore the impact of war on individuals, and they both suggest that war can have profound effects on people's emotions and mental health. Both poems also suggest that war can dehumanize people and make them see others as less than human.
However, there are some differences between the two poems. "War Photographer" focuses more on the power of images to convey the reality of war, while "Remains" focuses more on the psychological impact of war on soldiers. "War Photographer" is also more detached and objective in its tone, while "Remains" is more personal and emotional.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "War Photographer" and "Remains" are two powerful war photography poems that explore the impact of war on individuals. Both poems suggest that war can have profound effects on people's emotions and mental health, and that it can dehumanize people and make them see others as less than human. However, the poems also have some differences in their themes and tones, which make them unique and interesting to read.
