A Photograph (CBL)

By Shirley Toulson

The poem is in blank verse, which means it has no rhyme.

POETIC DEVICES:

1. Allusion: “Cardboard” (photograph). The cardboard’s lack of durability hints at the lack of permanence of human life.

2. Alliteration:

‘stood still to smile’ (repetition of sound ‘S’)

“terribly transient feet” (repetition of sound 't')

“its silence silences” (repetition of sound ‘S’).

3. Transferred Epithet:

‘Transient feet’: It refers to the human feet but it is used to describe the lack of permanence of human life. The sea is constant and eternal while the human feet which are being washed away by the sea are transient.

4. Personification: Its silence silences.

5. Oxymoron: Laboured ease.

SHORTANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?

Answer: The word cardboard denotes the photograph pasted on a hard thick paper. This word has been used to refer to a practice in the past when photographs were pasted on cardboard and framed with glass frame to preserve them.

2. In what context has the phrase “terribly transient feet” been used in the poem?
Answer: Human life is very short lived, transitory and temporary as compared to the sea which is a symbol of permanence, immortality and eternity. The poet uses the phrase ‘terribly transient feet’ to highlight the temporal nature of human life. The life of a human being is nothing as compared to the life of a sea.

3. What is the meaning of the line "Both wry with the laboured ease of loss".
Answer: The sea holiday and the laughter of the poet's mother are incidents of the past. There is a sense of loss associated with them. Both are amusing yet disappointing as the state of feeling comfortable or relaxed is unnatural or forced one. This sense of loss is quite painful to bear.

4. Explain: “Its silence silences.”
Answer: "Its silence" refers to the death of the poet's mother, and "silences" refers to the poet's silence or sorrow because of it. The constant pain the poet experiences on account of her loss makes her silent, and she is unable to solve the mystery about death.

5. What is the message of the poem?
Answer: Write the answer yourself.

6. How does the poet use contrast between the past and present to highlight the theme of loss in the poem?
Answer: The poet contrasts the joyful past captured in the photograph with the silent, sorrowful present to emphasize loss. The photograph freezes a happy moment, while the present reflects the absence of the poet’s mother, highlighting the inevitable passage of time and the pain of loss.

7. Do you think the poet’s choice of a photograph as a central symbol effectively conveys the poem’s message about memory and loss? Justify your answer.
Answer: Yes, the photograph effectively symbolizes memory and loss. It captures a joyful past moment, preserving it forever, while emphasizing the permanence of loss as those moments can never return. This contrast reinforces the poem's themes of time's passage and enduring grief.

8. If you were to create a visual representation of the emotions conveyed in "A Photograph," what elements would you include and why?
Answer: I would include a faded photograph of laughing girls on a beach, held by an older woman in a dim setting. The contrast between the lively past and the somber present visually conveys the poem’s exploration of memory, time's passage, and the inevitability of loss.

Long Answer Type Question

1. Suppose you are a psychiatrist. After reading the poem you feel concerned about the poet, Shirley Toulson, and decide to write a letter telling her the need to overcome the grief and suggesting some ways to do so. Write the letter in about 150 words.

Dr. James Thompson
Geen Valley Psychiatric Clinic
123 Healing Way, Serenity Town,
London

July 23, 2024

Shirley Toulson
45 Poet's Lane
Literary City, London

Dear Ms. Toulson,
I hope this letter finds you well. After reading your poignant poem "A Photograph," I am deeply moved by your vivid expression of grief and loss for your mother. Your words beautifully capture the enduring bond between you and your mother, as well as the profound sorrow you feel in her absence.

Grieving is a natural process, but it is essential to find ways to navigate through it healthily. I encourage you to seek solace in the memories you cherish, perhaps by creating a scrapbook or journal where you can compile photos, letters, and stories about your mother. Engaging in creative activities, like writing or painting, can also provide an emotional outlet.

Additionally, talking to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist about your feelings can be incredibly beneficial. Sometimes, sharing your pain with someone else can lighten the emotional burden you carry.

Remember, it's important to take care of yourself during this time. Practice self-compassion and allow yourself to grieve at your own pace. Healing is a journey, and while the pain may never fully disappear, it can become more manageable with time and support.

Please feel free to reach out if you ever need someone to talk to. Your words have touched many, and it's crucial to ensure that you, too, receive the care and support you need.

Warm regards,
Dr. James Thompson
Psychiatrist
Green Valley Psychiatric Clinic