Explore how the poems “Kamikaze” and “War Photographer” present the
idea of conflict and memory (30)
In the poems 'War Photographer' and 'Kamikaze, an inner conflict is presented as the men struggle to
make the right decision and remember their role within war. However, by the end of "War
Photographer", the inner conflict seems to have been defeated; in 'Kamikaze' it remains unbeaten.
In 'War Photographer', Duffy presents the photographer's inner conflict as he attempts to block out
his emotions: "He has a job to do". By using this short, monosyllabic statement to begin the second
stanza, the poet could be highlighting how the photographer is forced to put his emotions aside, just
as a soldier has to: Duffy was inspired by the indifference needed for such a role. Also, by distancing
the voice from the photographer, as shown by the third person pronoun "he", Duffy could be
illustrating how greatly the photographer has to be distant from the situations he experienced; he
appears to have succeeded in doing this, and therefore seems to be able to overcome any inner
conflict. However, by beginning the stanza with almost a justification of his profession, the poet could
be implying that the man is actually facing and losing an inner conflict as he begins to doubt the
morality of his role. Perhaps, now that he is physically away from the combat, the photographer is
unable to control his emotions and overcome his inner conflict. This idea is further demonstrated
through the verb "tremble", with its connotations of fear, as it clearly highlights the negative impact
the violence has had on him, although the vagueness of the verbal phrase "seem to" could be
demonstrating that he is continuing to try to ignore his emotions and defeat his inner conflict.
In 'Kamikaze', Garland presents the soldier's past inner conflict through his struggle to choose
between his family and his country: "his brothers... built cairns of pearl-grey pebbles". Here, the use of
family imagery, demonstrated through the plural "brothers" and the noun "father" could be
illustrating the soldier reminiscing about his childhood and beginning to reconsider his actions; the
use of the plural "cairns" with its connotations of death, could indicate that this is because he feels
suicide will cause his family to grieve and be sorrowful. However, the adjective "pearl-grey" contrasts
to this idea, as it has connotations of wealth, which could be suggesting that although he will be
missed, the soldier's death will actually benefit his family and cause them to be grateful for it; this
could be linking to how being a kamikaze pilot was a huge honour,as if they completed their mission,
their family would be rewarded and honoured, which therefore presents the soldier's inner conflict as
he struggles to choose the best option. In addition, the fact that these "cairns" are simply made from
"pebbles" emphasises this inner conflict as it could imply that they are insecure and his death is only
a possibility; the soldier has a choice whether to turn back, although by placing this idea halfway
through the poem, Garland could be inferring that he must be quick to decide, as a kamikaze's
journey was only meant to be one way and the soldier would only have enough fuel to return if he
turned back at this point.
idea of conflict and memory (30)
In the poems 'War Photographer' and 'Kamikaze, an inner conflict is presented as the men struggle to
make the right decision and remember their role within war. However, by the end of "War
Photographer", the inner conflict seems to have been defeated; in 'Kamikaze' it remains unbeaten.
In 'War Photographer', Duffy presents the photographer's inner conflict as he attempts to block out
his emotions: "He has a job to do". By using this short, monosyllabic statement to begin the second
stanza, the poet could be highlighting how the photographer is forced to put his emotions aside, just
as a soldier has to: Duffy was inspired by the indifference needed for such a role. Also, by distancing
the voice from the photographer, as shown by the third person pronoun "he", Duffy could be
illustrating how greatly the photographer has to be distant from the situations he experienced; he
appears to have succeeded in doing this, and therefore seems to be able to overcome any inner
conflict. However, by beginning the stanza with almost a justification of his profession, the poet could
be implying that the man is actually facing and losing an inner conflict as he begins to doubt the
morality of his role. Perhaps, now that he is physically away from the combat, the photographer is
unable to control his emotions and overcome his inner conflict. This idea is further demonstrated
through the verb "tremble", with its connotations of fear, as it clearly highlights the negative impact
the violence has had on him, although the vagueness of the verbal phrase "seem to" could be
demonstrating that he is continuing to try to ignore his emotions and defeat his inner conflict.
In 'Kamikaze', Garland presents the soldier's past inner conflict through his struggle to choose
between his family and his country: "his brothers... built cairns of pearl-grey pebbles". Here, the use of
family imagery, demonstrated through the plural "brothers" and the noun "father" could be
illustrating the soldier reminiscing about his childhood and beginning to reconsider his actions; the
use of the plural "cairns" with its connotations of death, could indicate that this is because he feels
suicide will cause his family to grieve and be sorrowful. However, the adjective "pearl-grey" contrasts
to this idea, as it has connotations of wealth, which could be suggesting that although he will be
missed, the soldier's death will actually benefit his family and cause them to be grateful for it; this
could be linking to how being a kamikaze pilot was a huge honour,as if they completed their mission,
their family would be rewarded and honoured, which therefore presents the soldier's inner conflict as
he struggles to choose the best option. In addition, the fact that these "cairns" are simply made from
"pebbles" emphasises this inner conflict as it could imply that they are insecure and his death is only
a possibility; the soldier has a choice whether to turn back, although by placing this idea halfway
through the poem, Garland could be inferring that he must be quick to decide, as a kamikaze's
journey was only meant to be one way and the soldier would only have enough fuel to return if he
turned back at this point.
