“War Photographer” by Carol Ann Duffy
Textual Analysis
1. What is the effect of the word “suffering” in line 2? (2)
2. What does the religious imagery in stanza 1 suggest about the photographer and his work? (4)
3. What is the significance of the place-names in line 6? Comment on both the word choices and the structure. (4)
4. Explain what is meant by the image “All flesh is grass”. (Line 6) (2)
5. Quote the word in stanza 2 that suggests the writer is emotional when developing his photographs. (1)
6. Describe the contrast between England and the places where he works. (2)
7. What is the effect of the phrase “running children” in line 12? (2)
8. Why is the word “ghost” effective in line 15? (2)
9. Quote the phrase from stanza 3 that suggests the photographer sometimes feels uncomfortable doing what he has to do. (1)
10. Comment on the effectiveness of the phrase “black-and-white” in the first line of stanza 4. (2)
11. What is the attitude of the reader (stanza 4 line 3) to the photographs? Give evidence for your answer. (2)
12. What is the tone of the ending of the poem? Give evidence for your answer. (2)
13. Do you feel that the poet approves or disapproves of the war photographer’s job? Refer closely to the text in your answer. (4)
Total 30 marks