Juxtaposing images are used between the second and third stanza.
The poem is written in free verse which could increase the feeling of reality.
Caesura is used after 'almost-smile', perhaps to reflect happiness being cut short.
Arguably, the photographer is presented as a predator.
Intense and vivid imagery is used to capture the realities of war.

Common misconception

This poem focuses on the moral complexities of war and conflict.

This poem is less about war and more about the stories we tell/hear/see about it. Arguably, Satyamurti suggests that there is no way to fully capture traumatic experiences like this since neither the picture nor caption capture what really happened.

Keywords

Gilded - covered with a thin layer of gold.
Ascot - horse racing event in Berkshire, UK, known for its fashionable attire and social prestige.
Privileged - having special advantages, or opportunities due to wealth, status, or position.
Symbolism - using concrete objects or actions to represent abstract ideas, concepts or emotions.
Caesura - pause or break in a line of poetry, typically marked by punctuation, creating rhythm.

As you explore Satyamurti's use of punctuation and structure to give the impression of spoken language, encourage students to write about an experience in their life and then redraft it as though they are saying it aloud. They can then use their own writing to consider how to create a 'spoken' feel.

Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of ‘War Photographer’ by Carole Satyamurti. This can be found in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Which of these are important to consider when analysing the structure of a poem?

the poet's use of similes and metaphors

Correct answer: the poet's use of punctuation

the poet's use of imagery

Correct answer: the lengths of lines and stanzas

Correct answer: the order and progression of ides

Q2.

Which of the words below is a synonym for 'absurd'?

rational

Correct answer: preposterous

creative

relaxed

upsetting

Q3.

The words "seek", "took", and "followed" are all examples of which word class?

noun

adjective

Correct answer: verb

adverb

pronoun

Q4.

What does 'desensitised' mean?

feeling something intensely while experiencing it for the first time

Correct answer: feeling something less intensely because of repeated exposure to it

feeling indifferent about something that should evoke an emotional reaction

not feeling the appropriate emotions (e.g. laughing when you are nervous)

Q5.

Which of these symbols is often used to represent wealth and luxury?

birds

hearts

water

stars

Correct answer: gold

Q6.

Match each punctuation type to the correct usage.

Correct Answer:full stop,larger pause; marks the end of a sentence

larger pause; marks the end of a sentence

Correct Answer:comma,brief pause, separates items in a list, or separates a clause

brief pause, separates items in a list, or separates a clause

Correct Answer:dash,emphasises or separates a part of a sentence (like an interruption)

emphasises or separates a part of a sentence (like an interruption)

Correct Answer:ellipsis,shows omission of words, trailing off in thought, or suspenseful pause

shows omission of words, trailing off in thought, or suspenseful pause

Correct Answer:semi-colon,connects closely related independent clauses as one sentence

connects closely related independent clauses as one sentence

Correct Answer:inverted commas,indicates direct speech (said by someone else) and quotes

indicates direct speech (said by someone else) and quotes

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What does the word 'privileged' mean?

feeling discontent or resentful toward someone's possessions or achievements

lacking material wealth or resources; having little or no financial means

showing a lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; neither good nor bad

concerned chiefly with one's own interests and needs at the expense of others

Correct answer: having special advantages or opportunities due to wealth, status, or position

Q2.

Which of these quotations symbolises wealth and privilege in Satyamurti's 'War Photographer'?

"finger"

"baby"

"bomb"

Correct answer: "champagne"

"scream"

Q3.

In Satyamurti's 'War Photographer', how does the word "seek" present the photographer as a predator?

The use of this adjective suggests they follow people to take their picture.

Correct answer: This verb implies they actively search for particular "subjects" (like prey).

This verb implies they work hard to capture the best picture.

This noun shows their determination to capture a thought-provoking image.

Q4.

What is caesura?

a question posed not to elicit a response but to make a point or provoke thought

Correct answer: pause or break in a line of poetry, typically marked by punctuation

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines

continuation of a sentence from one line of poetry to the next without a pause

stanza or group of three lines in poetry, often with a specific rhyme scheme

Q5.

Complete this sentence: 'Satyamurti's use of __________ verse in 'War Photographer' helps to gives the poem a 'spoken' feel.'

narrative

rhyming

Correct answer: free

alliterative

Q6.

Which type of punctuation does Satyamurti use in 'War Photographer' to imply that the speaker may have trailed in their description (perhaps because continuing was too emotionally difficult)?

full stop

semi-colon

comma

inverted commas

Correct answer: ellipsis