Introduction -
Duffy and Browning both traverse the concept of personal power and power distribution in the poems “War Photographer” and “My Last Duchess”. Duffy, through the use of imagery, metaphors and personification aims to portray the power the photographer has, however it is not enough to impact readers in his home country. Browning aims to criticize the patriarchal society, power control between the sexes and the attitude of the upperclassmen during the Victorian times, through the use of imagery, enjambment and irony. 79
P1 War Photographer
Duffy presents the photographer as a powerful man as he can choose which emotions and images to exploit from the war zone. The speaker highlights the contrast in the photographers mindsets; …show more content…
The Duke refers to the Duchess as “My Last Duchess” and with that also being the title, gives a first impression that the Duke is very possessive. “My” implies she belongs to him, while “Last” provokes the idea that he may have had wives before her and intends to have wives after her. While looking at a painting of the Duchess, the Duke tells the Count's Envoy “Since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I”. This emphasises the idea that the Duke is extremely controlling over the Duches. Even when she’s dead he has a curtain around her so he can choose who can see the painting of her. Near the end of the poem, the Duke tells the Count's Envoy ; “Though has fair daughter's self, as I vowed at starting, is my object”. “My object” conveys how he would like to be in control. His tone portrays his persistent attitude, as he is treating her like an object. Structurally, Browning uses enjambment liberally in the poem, to such an extent that the poem is one long stanza. This structure highlights how the duke rushes and is anxious while talking to the Count's Envoy. This directly contrasts to the impression the Duke wants to portray of himself. One feels the Duke needs to have dominance over someone else because he is insecure and can not manage his own
Duffy and Browning both traverse the concept of personal power and power distribution in the poems “War Photographer” and “My Last Duchess”. Duffy, through the use of imagery, metaphors and personification aims to portray the power the photographer has, however it is not enough to impact readers in his home country. Browning aims to criticize the patriarchal society, power control between the sexes and the attitude of the upperclassmen during the Victorian times, through the use of imagery, enjambment and irony. 79
P1 War Photographer
Duffy presents the photographer as a powerful man as he can choose which emotions and images to exploit from the war zone. The speaker highlights the contrast in the photographers mindsets; …show more content…
The Duke refers to the Duchess as “My Last Duchess” and with that also being the title, gives a first impression that the Duke is very possessive. “My” implies she belongs to him, while “Last” provokes the idea that he may have had wives before her and intends to have wives after her. While looking at a painting of the Duchess, the Duke tells the Count's Envoy “Since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I”. This emphasises the idea that the Duke is extremely controlling over the Duches. Even when she’s dead he has a curtain around her so he can choose who can see the painting of her. Near the end of the poem, the Duke tells the Count's Envoy ; “Though has fair daughter's self, as I vowed at starting, is my object”. “My object” conveys how he would like to be in control. His tone portrays his persistent attitude, as he is treating her like an object. Structurally, Browning uses enjambment liberally in the poem, to such an extent that the poem is one long stanza. This structure highlights how the duke rushes and is anxious while talking to the Count's Envoy. This directly contrasts to the impression the Duke wants to portray of himself. One feels the Duke needs to have dominance over someone else because he is insecure and can not manage his own