Explanation of the Poem "A Photograph" by Shirley Toulson
This poem, "A Photograph" by Shirley Toulson, reflects upon the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of
memory through the lens of a single photograph. The speaker reminisces about a photograph of her mother and
her cousins taken many years ago during a seaside holiday. The image captures a moment frozen in time, showing
the two young cousins holding the speaker's mother's hands, smiling at the camera with the sea in the
background.
The poem begins by describing the photograph itself, which is printed on cardboard, serving as a tangible reminder
of the past. The speaker reflects on the people in the photograph: her mother, who was a young girl at the time,
and her two cousins, Betty and Dolly. The image evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time before the
speaker was born, when her mother was still alive and carefree.
The poem highlights the contrast between the innocence and joy captured in the photograph and the passage of
time that has since occurred. The sea, which remains relatively unchanged, serves as a symbol of continuity amidst
the inevitability of change. The transient nature of human life is juxtaposed with the enduring presence of the
natural world.
As the speaker reflects on the photograph, she imagines her mother reminiscing about the seaside holiday and the
fashion of the time. However, the memory is tinged with sadness, as the speaker realizes that her mother has now
passed away, and the holiday exists only in the past. The poem concludes with a sense of resignation to the
passage of time, acknowledging the inevitability of loss and the silence that accompanies it.
Throughout the poem, Toulson employs various poetic devices to convey the theme of memory and the passage of
time:
1. Imagery: This is the use of vivid descriptions to create mental images in the reader's mind. For example, "the
cardboard shows me how it was" and "smile through their hair" appeal to the senses, helping the reader visualize
the scene depicted in the photograph.
2. Symbolism: Symbolism is the use of objects, actions, or characters to represent abstract ideas or concepts. In
this poem, the sea symbolizes continuity and the passage of time, while the photograph symbolizes memory and
nostalgia.
3. Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as." The
photograph can be seen as a metaphor for memory, capturing a single moment in time that can never be
reclaimed.
4. Irony: Irony is the use of language that conveys a meaning opposite to its literal interpretation. The irony in this
poem lies in the contrast between the joyful scene depicted in the photograph and the speaker's realization of her
mother's death, highlighting the fleeting nature of happiness.
5. Personification: Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human objects or animals. In
this poem, the sea is personified as washing the characters' feet, suggesting a sense of connection and continuity
between past and present.
Short Questions:
4. What is the significance of the sea in the poem?
- The sea symbolizes continuity and the passage of time. It remains relatively unchanged while the human
subjects in the photograph experience the inevitability of change and loss.
5. How does the speaker feel about the photograph?
- The speaker feels a sense of nostalgia and longing when looking at the photograph, as it reminds her of a time
before she was born and her mother was still alive.
HOTs Questions:
1. How does the poem explore the theme of memory?
- The poem explores the theme of memory through the lens of a photograph, which serves as a tangible
reminder of the past. The speaker reflects on the memories associated with the photograph and the passage of
time, highlighting the bittersweet nature of memory.
2. Discuss the significance of the title "A Photograph."
- The title "A Photograph" suggests that the poem will revolve around a single image captured in time. However,
it also implies that the photograph holds deeper significance beyond its visual representation, serving as a gateway
to memories and emotions associated with the past.
3. How does the poet use irony in the poem?
- The poet employs irony by juxtaposing the joyful scene depicted in the photograph with the speaker's
realization of her mother's death. This contrast highlights the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of
loss, adding depth to the poem's exploration of memory and time.
4. Analyze the role of the sea in the poem as a symbol.
- The sea serves as a powerful symbol of continuity and the passage of time. While the human subjects in the
photograph experience change and loss, the sea remains relatively unchanged, symbolizing the enduring nature of
the natural world amidst the transience of human life.
5. How does the poem address the theme of mortality?
- The poem addresses the theme of mortality through the speaker's reflection on the passage of time and the
inevitability of loss. The photograph serves as a reminder of the speaker's mother, who has since passed away,
prompting contemplation on the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of memory.
