Compare how poets present the ways that people are affected by war in‘War Photographer’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and conflict’.

In 'War Photographer' by Carol Ann Duffy and 'Remains' by Simon Armitage, both poets present the profound effects of war on individuals in different ways.

In 'War Photographer', Duffy explores the emotional turmoil of the photographer who is torn between his duty to document the horrors of war and his personal feelings of despair and helplessness. The use of religious imagery, such as "his darkroom is his church" and "All flesh is grass", highlights the sanctity of life and the photographer's struggle to reconcile his role with his moral beliefs. The poem also explores the apathy of the readers who are detached from the realities of war, suggesting that the impact of war is not fully understood by those who are not directly involved.

On the other hand, 'Remains' presents the psychological impact of war on a soldier who is haunted by the guilt of killing an innocent man. The use of first-person narrative and colloquial language creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, allowing the reader to empathize with the soldier's guilt and trauma. The repetition of "his bloody life in my bloody hands" emphasizes the soldier's inability to escape from his haunting memories, suggesting that the effects of war are long-lasting and deeply ingrained.

Both poems highlight the devastating effects of war on individuals, whether they are the photographers documenting the war or the soldiers fighting in it. However, while 'War Photographer' focuses on the emotional conflict and moral dilemma of the photographer, 'Remains' delves into the psychological trauma and guilt experienced by a soldier. Both poems challenge the reader to consider the human cost of war, beyond the physical destruction and political conflicts.