Poem - A Photograph Class 11 English Hornbill

Key Points of the Poem

• A Photograph Summary compares the internal state of nature and the momentary state of humans. 
• In the poem, poetess describes a photograph of her mothers’ childhood. 
• In the photograph of time when she went for a sea holiday with her two girl cousins. 
• Also, poetess contrasts between nature, altering at the pace of a snail and the fast-changing human life. 
• Poetess remembers how her mother laughs at the photograph and feel disappointed at the loss of her childhood joys. 
• However, then, the sea holiday was her mother’s past and now her mother’s laugh is the poetess’s past. 
• At different periods of time and with great difficulty, both resolve with their respective losses and the pain that involves in remembering past. 
• Besides, for the poetess, his mother’s death of her mother brings great sadness and a dire sense of loss. 
• Moreover, the painful ‘silence’ of the situation leaves her without words.

Detailed Summary  

The poem commences with the poetess discovering her mother's photograph tucked away in neglected cardboard boxes. The picture, devoid of any protective frame, appears vulnerable to the ravages of time, highlighting its susceptibility to decay. In the photograph, the poetess's mother stands surrounded by younger siblings, showcasing her strength as she supports her cousins. Captured with joy and enthusiasm, the image portrays the young girls, including the poetess's mother, facing the camera amidst crashing sea waves, symbolizing their resilience.
In the second part, the poem shifts to the mother's later years, as she reminisces about the day depicted in the photograph. Despite the fond memories, there is an undertone of sadness as the mother confronts the passage of time. She playfully mocks their youthful attire, attempting to cope with the inevitable changes that come with aging. Looking back at her 12-year-old self becomes a bittersweet attempt to reconnect with her childhood, serving as a poignant reminder of the relentless march of time.In the third part, the poetess recalls her mother after her passing. The photograph becomes a cherished memory, binding mother and daughter even in death. The poetess finds solace in imagining her mother's laughter, reminiscent of the joy captured in the seaside photo. Remarkably, the time elapsed since her mother's demise corresponds to the poetess's age in the picture, a coincidence or irony that underscores the cyclical nature of life and death. Both the poetess and her mother learn to embrace change and reconcile with their memories, despite the fleeting nature of happiness.
While death usually brings silence and emptiness, the poetess finds her mother's demise to be a powerful, inspiring force. It compels her to express her emotions through a tribute and poem. In this acceptance, there is a silent acknowledgment of the ultimate silence that death brings, marking the culmination of the poem's journey.

Conclusion  

In a photograph summary, the poetess wants to say that death is unavoidable so embrace your life.

Literary Devices

Alliteration – repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of two or more consecutive words. The instances of alliteration in the poem are as follows-
Stood still
Through their
My mother’s
Terribly transient
Silence silences
Oxymoron – a term which contradicts itself
Laboured ease
Epithet – a phrase expressing a quality of a person or something
Terribly transient

Difficult Words

Word - Meaning 

• Paddling = wading, splashing 
• Transient = fleeting, temporary 
• Snapshot = photo, picture
• Dressed = clothed, attired 
• Beach = seashore, coastline 
• Wry = twisted, skewed
• Laboured = effortful, strained
• Circumstance = situation, scenario