Question 1: Briefly summarize the context of 'War Photographer' and what the poem explores about war and morality.

Answer: The poem examines the emotional and moral challenges faced by a war photographer as he develops images of conflict, raising questions about the impact of war on viewers and the photographer himself.

Question 1: Interpret the meaning of the line: 'In his darkroom he is finally alone,' and explain how this sets the tone for the poem.

Answer: This line suggests that the photographer is isolated during his processing of the photos, emphasizing themes of solitude and reflection, and creates a somber, contemplative mood.

Question 2: What is the significance of the phrase 'a hundred agonies in black-and-white' in terms of imagery and emotional effect?

Answer: It vividly describes the suffering captured in the photographs, using 'agonies' to evoke pain and the monochrome 'black-and-white' to symbolize bleakness, emphasizing the stark reality of war.

Question 1: Examine the metaphor in the line: 'The blood stained into the earth.' What effect does this have?

Answer: This metaphor links the blood to the earth, emphasizing the physical reality of violence and death, and evoking a sense of permanence and the deep impact of war.

Question 2: Identify the use of personification in the line: 'The readers eyeball a half-formed ghost.' What is its purpose?

Answer: Personification of 'readers' eyeballing a ghost' emphasizes the haunting effect of the images and how viewers are affected emotionally, creating a sense of lingering trauma.

Question 1: How does the poem explore the theme of the contrast between private suffering and public spectacle?

Answer: The poem shows the photographer's private emotional pain contrasted with the public display of images, highlighting how war victims' suffering is commodified and viewed by society.

Question 2: Discuss how the poem reflects on the morality of exposing war images. What might Duffy be suggesting?

Answer: Duffy suggests that while exposing war through photographs raises awareness, it also raises ethical questions about privacy, dignity, and the emotional toll on both subjects and viewers.

Question 1: Outline key points for comparing how power is portrayed in 'War Photographer' and 'Ozymandias'. Consider themes, language, and effects.

Answer: Both poems depict the theme of transient power—'Ozymandias' shows the impermanence of human achievements through imagery of decay, while 'War Photographer' examines the emotional power of images and moral authority. Use contrasting imagery and tone to discuss how each poet presents the idea of power's fleeting nature.

Question 1: Analyze the significance of 'half-formed ghost' in relation to the emotional impact of the poem.

Answer: The phrase suggests memories or images that are incomplete and haunting, reflecting the lingering trauma of war and how these images continue to affect viewers and the photographer alike.

Question 1: Draft a short outline for an extended analytical paragraph on how Duffy explores the moral dilemmas faced by the war photographer.

Answer: Introduction to the moral conflict of capturing and displaying war images. Use quotes like 'He has a job to do' and 'Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh.' to show the global scope. Discuss how Duffy presents the photographer's internal struggle and societal responsibility, linking to the theme of moral ambiguity.