To compare how War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy and Hide and Seek by Vernon Scannell
present the theme of loss of innocence, the PEEL method can help provide a structured analysis.
Both poems explore this theme through their language, form, and structure, but they do so in
distinct contexts—War Photographer reflects on the harsh realities of war, while Hide and Seek
illustrates the transition from childhood naivety to disillusionment.
Paragraph 1: Loss of Innocence Through Imagery
Point:
Both poets use imagery to depict the loss of innocence, but in different contexts—War
Photographer focuses on the brutal realities of war, while Hide and Seek reflects on the end of
childhood naivety.
Evidence (War Photographer):
In War Photographer, vivid and graphic imagery like "spools of suffering set out in ordered
rows" and "a half-formed ghost" conveys the photographer's confrontation with death and
destruction.
Explanation (War Photographer):
The metaphor of "spools of suffering" symbolizes the pain and horror captured in the
photographer's work, reflecting how innocence is shattered by witnessing violence. The "half-
formed ghost" suggests the fragility of life and the haunting memories of war, emphasizing how
exposure to such trauma strips away any sense of purity or simplicity.
Evidence (Hide and Seek):
In Hide and Seek, imagery like "The darkening garden watches" and "The bushes hold their
breath" creates an ominous tone, suggesting an end to the playful innocence of the game.
Explanation (Hide and Seek):
The once-safe environment becomes threatening, symbolizing the shift from childhood security
to a more complex and uncertain reality. The garden's personification as "watching" implies a
loss of control and innocence, as the child becomes aware of vulnerability and isolation.
Link:
Both poets use imagery to show how innocence is lost—through the violence of war in War
Photographer and through the realization of solitude and betrayal in Hide and Seek.
Paragraph 2: Language Reflecting Emotional Impact
Point:
The language in both poems reflects the emotional impact of losing innocence, but while War
Photographer is detached and reflective, Hide and Seek is immediate and personal.
Evidence (War Photographer):
Phrases like "He stares impassively" and "the blood stained into foreign dust" highlight a sense
of detachment and the overwhelming emotional toll of war.
Explanation (War Photographer):
The word "impassively" suggests the photographer’s emotional numbness as a defense
mechanism against the horrors he witnesses. This loss of emotional innocence underscores how
exposure to war dehumanizes individuals.
Evidence (Hide and Seek):
Lines like "Don't breathe. Don’t move. Stay dumb. Hide in your blindness" reflect the child’s
initial confidence and innocence, which later shifts to loneliness and disillusionment.
Explanation (Hide and Seek):
The repetition of imperatives emphasizes the child’s trust in the rules of the game, only for this
trust to be betrayed when he is abandoned. The shift in tone reflects his emotional realization of
isolation and the loss of his childhood naivety.
Link:
Both poems use language to convey the emotional consequences of losing innocence, though
War Photographer focuses on the desensitization caused by external horrors, while Hide and
Seek explores a personal moment of betrayal.
Paragraph 3: Form and Structure
Point:
The form and structure in both poems contribute to the depiction of the loss of innocence, with
War Photographer employing a controlled structure to mirror emotional suppression, while Hide
and Seek uses a single stanza to reflect the immediacy of the experience.
Evidence (War Photographer):
The poem is structured in four six-line stanzas with a regular rhyme scheme, creating a sense of
order amidst the chaos of war.
Explanation (War Photographer):
This structured form mirrors the photographer’s attempt to impose order on the
incomprehensible horrors he captures. However, the regularity contrasts with the emotional
turmoil, emphasizing his internal loss of innocence as he processes the atrocities.
Evidence (Hide and Seek):
The poem is written in a single stanza, with an uneven rhythm that reflects the child’s shifting
emotions, from excitement to unease.
Explanation (Hide and Seek):
The lack of stanza breaks mirrors the uninterrupted flow of the child’s experience, drawing
readers into the immediacy of his journey from confident innocence to the painful realization of
betrayal. The structure emphasizes the suddenness of his loss.
Link:
While War Photographer uses rigid structure to reflect emotional suppression, Hide and Seek
uses a free-flowing form to immerse readers in the child’s evolving perspective.
Paragraph 4: Themes and Tone
Point:
The themes of both poems revolve around loss of innocence, but the tone in War Photographer
is somber and reflective, while in Hide and Seek it shifts from excitement to despair.
Evidence (War Photographer):
The tone is solemn, reflected in lines like "A hundred agonies in black-and-white" and "He
remembers the cries of this man’s wife."
Explanation (War Photographer):
The tone underscores the weight of the photographer’s responsibility and the moral conflict of
documenting human suffering, illustrating the profound loss of innocence in the face of global
atrocities.
Evidence (Hide and Seek):
The playful tone in lines like "Call out. Call loud: 'I’m ready! Come and find me!’” gives way to
a melancholic realization as the child discovers he is alone.
Explanation (Hide and Seek):
The tonal shift highlights the child’s growing awareness of the complexities and disappointments
of life, marking his emotional transition from innocence to experience.
Link:
Through tone, both poems effectively convey the emotional journey of losing innocence—
whether through the external horrors of war or the internal realization of betrayal and solitude.
Conclusion
Both War Photographer and Hide and Seek explore the loss of innocence through powerful
language, form, and structure. While Duffy examines this theme in the context of war and global
suffering, Scannell presents a more personal, immediate moment of disillusionment. Both poems
ultimately illustrate the profound and universal nature of losing innocence, whether it is caused
by external violence or personal betrayal.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores different views of law and justice through the
lens of Maycomb’s deeply divided society. Set in the racially segregated American South of the
1930s, the novel examines how legal principles often clash with moral justice, highlighting the
limitations of the legal system and its susceptibility to prejudice. Through characters like Atticus
Finch, Tom Robinson, and others, Lee reveals the tension between the ideals of fairness and the
harsh realities of a society rooted in systemic racism and inequality.
Paragraph 1: Atticus Finch’s Perspective on Law and Justice
Point:
Atticus Finch embodies a moral and principled view of justice, advocating for fairness and
equality under the law despite societal prejudices.
Evidence:
Atticus tells Scout, "But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—
there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the
equal of an Einstein. That institution, gentlemen, is a court."
Explanation:
This statement reflects Atticus’s belief in the legal system as a potential equalizer, where truth
and justice should prevail. However, his faith is challenged by the reality of Tom Robinson’s
trial, where racial bias overrides evidence and fairness. Atticus’s defense of Tom, despite
knowing the likely outcome, underscores his commitment to justice as an ideal rather than a
societal norm.
Context:
Atticus’s perspective mirrors the civil rights struggles of the 1930s and 1950s, when the novel
was written. His character represents a progressive stance in a time when racial equality was far
from realized, embodying the values of integrity and courage in the face of systemic injustice.
Link:
Through Atticus, Lee reveals the potential of the law to uphold justice, but she also critiques its
failure to do so in a racially biased society.
Paragraph 2: The Flaws of the Legal System
Point:
Lee uses the trial of Tom Robinson to expose the failures of the legal system in delivering true
justice when societal prejudice interferes.
Evidence:
Despite overwhelming evidence proving Tom Robinson’s innocence, the jury convicts him
simply because he is a Black man accused by a white woman.
Explanation:
This miscarriage of justice highlights the deep-rooted racism in Maycomb, where the verdict is
determined by racial bias rather than facts. The jury's decision reflects the societal norms of the
time, showing how the legal system is not impartial but shaped by the prejudices of those who
operate it.
Context:
During the 1930s, Jim Crow laws institutionalized racial segregation and inequality, and
courtrooms were often arenas where Black individuals faced almost insurmountable odds. Lee
critiques this systemic injustice, showing how the law, intended to protect, often perpetuated
oppression.
Link:
Through Tom Robinson’s trial, Lee reveals how the law can be manipulated to serve injustice,
especially in a society governed by racism.
Paragraph 3: Community Views on Justice
Point:
The community’s view of justice often aligns with mob mentality and social conventions rather
than fairness or truth.
Evidence:
The mob that comes to lynch Tom Robinson represents extrajudicial justice, driven by prejudice
rather than law. Scout’s innocent conversation with Mr. Cunningham diffuses the situation,
reminding him of his humanity and responsibilities.
Explanation:
The mob’s willingness to bypass the legal process illustrates how societal attitudes can
undermine justice. However, Scout’s intervention suggests that personal connections and
empathy can challenge collective injustice.
Context:
Lynch mobs and extrajudicial violence were a reality in the South during the 1930s, reflecting a
widespread disregard for legal processes when it came to racial issues. Lee uses this scene to
critique the fragility of justice in the face of mob rule and to highlight the potential for individual
morality to disrupt systemic injustice.
Link:
Lee contrasts the mob's view of justice with Atticus’s principled stance, illustrating the tension
between collective prejudice and individual integrity.
Paragraph 4: Justice Beyond the Legal System
Point:
Lee suggests that true justice often exists outside the confines of the legal system, as shown in
Boo Radley’s story.
Evidence:
When Boo kills Bob Ewell to protect Scout and Jem, Sheriff Tate insists on keeping Boo’s
actions quiet, stating, “Let the dead bury the dead.”
Explanation:
This decision reflects a pragmatic approach to justice, prioritizing Boo’s well-being over strict
adherence to legal procedures. Sheriff Tate recognizes that exposing Boo to public scrutiny
would be morally wrong, despite the law’s requirement for transparency. This instance shows
how justice can sometimes be achieved through moral judgment rather than rigid legalism.
Context:
This resolution reflects the novel’s broader message that justice is not always served by the law,
particularly in a flawed system. It also aligns with the idea of community protection and
understanding, which was vital in smaller Southern towns during this period.
Link:
Through Boo Radley’s story, Lee highlights that true justice sometimes requires bending the law
to serve moral righteousness.
Conclusion
Harper Lee reveals different views of law and justice in To Kill a Mockingbird by contrasting the
ideal of fairness with the harsh realities of prejudice and inequality. Through Atticus Finch, the
trial of Tom Robinson, and the resolution of Boo Radley’s story, Lee critiques the failures of the
legal system while suggesting that moral courage and empathy can lead to true justice. The
novel, set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and Jim Crow South, remains a powerful
commentary on the struggle for equality and the complexity of justice in an imperfect world.
