Raymond Carver, a 20th century writer, was known for having a minimalistic writing style. His style focused on using little detail that allows the reader to take part in creating the story. Robert Capa, in the same time, has a style that varies from Carver. Capa’s writing style is more visual and descriptive in his biography Slightly Out of Focus. As a photojournalist it influenced how he would describe the world in his written work. Beginning by looking in his biography where it focuses on the battles that occurred in and around Naples, Italy. Then reading further into the events of D-day, comparing the writing style of a veteran and Capa’s style. Afterwards looking into a radio interview about The Falling Soldier, finding a connection between his thoughts and his written work.
Venturing into the battle around Naples in 1943, Capa illustrates
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the conflict unveiling before him. As a photojournalist, he captures the devastation and glory from war. War is continually glorified through propaganda, making those photograph how people view wars. Capa gives a gallery of photographs from his experience in Naples, not only having the glorified images but also a less broadcasted side of war. A gallery composed of his images and descriptions of what is in his view: “In the dark interior, the moaning of the wounded made a strange kind of prayer, and the smell of ether blended with that of incense. The church was full. Most of the wounded had to lie on the cold floor.”, Capa’s words painting a picture of what the battle left behind in Italy, as he travels to Naples. (Capa 91) Though his time in Naples, he documented what war does on the inhabitants. The celebration after the battle ended left Capa to find his way to the hotel he was staying at, barring his way was a funeral for “children old enough to fight the [enemy] and be killed, but just a little too old to fit in children’s coffins.” (103) This illustrating the sheer number of deceased in that region from the battles, outnumbering the amount of adult coffins. With his description of the environment, the reader has the ability to see what occurred and feel the despair of seeing your loved ones killed. The other side of the war, the one that is more broadcasted . Capa writes that “the general was a gracious and happy victor.”, in his biography he exudes the photograph that shows the general he mentions. (103) This exclusion, through my interpretation of the passage, is purposeful. Showing a photograph of a victorious general is a cliché image of war, one that has been seen many times before, therefore it is easy to imagine what it looks like. Going further into the text, we get a glimpse into the horrors that Capa and his comrades faced in 1944. D-day, a notable day in history characterizing the pivoting point of the war. When Capa exits his barge “with a well-aimed kick in the rear”, he begins describing what is happening creating pictures in the reader’s head. (140) Capa’s graceful entrance in the water was filled with “bullets [that] tore holes in the water around [him]”, and when he makes his movements he mentions he moves “between floating bodies…” these details about his surroundings that illustrates the environment are lacking in veteran accounts of D-day, making it less immersive. (140) An example of such an veteran account comes from George Batts, a member of the Royal Engineers in the British army. He describes his experience of the event as a soldier would write a report. Batts explains when the craft dropped its ramp, his training took over his body making him go find cover. He only mentions casualties as an increasing figure at first, but mentions when he reaches cover there are more dead. (Batts 2014) This account from a veteran has insufficient details of his surrounding, which does not allow the reader to see or experience what he went through. As well as seeming disconnected from the event for he mentions the dead but never mentions his possible fallen comrades. This may be due to his training, making his writing style more direct and to the point instead of having a photographic narrative similar to Capa. A final statement illustrating the photographic narrative style can be made with his previous work.
Connecting his biography to an interview about the photograph that debuted Robert Capa's fame: The Falling Soldier. In his radio interview in 1947, Capa explains the situation he was in as he had taken the photograph. This interview offers to us an understanding that his profession as a photojournalist influences not only his writing but his thoughts in general. He claims to be in Andalusia inside of a trench among fighters. Taking pictures of what he sees, Capa states “[the 20] milicianos were shooting in the direction of [the Franco] machine gun for five minutes and then stood up and said ‘Vámanos!’ and got out of that trench and began to go after that machine gun.” describing what is occurring around him. (Capa 1947) His recollections of events in the past and the details he brings up, makes it possible to visualize the incident that he is refers to throughout the interview. From showing struggle of the milicianos trying to defeat the Franco machine gun, to that machine gun which “mowed [the milicianos] down.” (Capa
1947) From analyzing Capa’s biography, he reveals a writing style that allows the reader to see the war and conflicts he has experienced without the need of a visual representation. The author shows this trait by offering environmental detail and details of the atmosphere in minor conflicts in small towns in Italy showing the pain of the inhabitants, and the happiness of the victor. In addition, comparing his own account of D-day and a veteran’s account, showing how the difference in their professions changes one's attention to detail of the events unfolding around you. His visual narrative style stems further in his description of events vocally in his interview, displaying that at any and all moments he is a photographer.
As the war progresses, Caputo requests to go to a line company in the middle of November. This is a change from the “office” position he currently held where he was largely responsible for counting casualties. At this point, the romanticized visions Caputo had of war have been completely shattered and he goes into this transfer being fully aware of this. This change in viewpoint becomes even more clear when compared to the beginning of the novel where Caputo was intrigued by the romance and action of war. While readers would expect more action and typical war stories in this section of the book, Philip Caputo writes anything but. Caputo writes, “It went like that for the rest of the month. It was a time of little action and endless misery…Almost every hour of every night, the radio operators chanted, ‘All secure. Situation remains the same’ (1996: 240). Caputo repeats the phrase “All secure. Situation remains the same” five times throughout this single paragraph. Because of this, readers see the dull and mundane side of war that is often not talked about. In addition, Caputo continues to comment of the large amounts of waiting throughout the autobiography. When most think of the Vietnam War, they picture the “main events”. Similar to the numerous documentaries we watched in class, some of the main points of the war include: The first Indochina War, The Gulf of Tonkin, and the Tet Offensive. These documentaries all focused on these monumental events and because of this, the public perceives this war as the sum of these events. However, what many fail to consider the large gaps in time between these events. It is in these large gaps that little action occurred and most of the soldier’s time was spent waiting as Caputo depicted in this scene. In connection with
...y analyzing a famous work of each, it can be said that not only did they lead very different lives, they were very different writers. To Kill a Mockingbird fluctuates in a tone which is inferred through the behavior of the characters for the narrator’s observations are basic. “A Christmas Memory” sets up each scene with an abundance of vivid imagery and thoughts, while drastically changing moods with simple syntax shifts. Yet with all the literary techniques and figurative language, the subtle theme of Capote’s story ended up making a much simpler tale. His best friend Lee’s one novel made history for the powerful way she set-up and presented a theme of prejudice and judgment. And that is the truest differentiation of the two friends’ writing, for if the very way they structure their pieces varies so greatly, how could one have slipped their style into the other’s?
Robert Ross’ is introduced to characters with varying outlooks on the world, based on their own social and economic backgrounds. The soldiers around Robert Ross differ greatly,...
In "Murder, He Wrote," William Swanson believes the stylistic techniques employed in Truman Capote's novel In Cold Blood are more memorable than the story itself. For Swanson, Capote not only captures the readers' attention with a story about a horrific crime, but his use of diverse voices, sounds, and silences make it an event people will never forget.
History takes place so rapidly that it’s often hard to recall the exact occurrence without technology. Most of our primary sources come from the writing of an individual as they experience history unfolding. It’s rare that two individuals provide stories so similar that they can be compared. John Smith and William Bradford provide this rare opportunity with their renderings. Comparing and contrasting the writing of the two allows the purpose, intended audience and more to be identified.
The consequences and effects of war, may be psychological, physical, or emotional. Can effect directly, for example, a solider or indirectly, for example, that soldier’s relatives and friends. “The Things They Carried” and “The Red Convertible” exam these matters. “The Things They Carried examines the psychological, physical, or emotional side of destruction that the Vietnam War bought. While “The Red Convertible” focuses on the psychological strain on soldiers they endure after the war as well as their families. These stories raise the questions is really war really necessary and can a solider back out of duty. Both stories are initiation stories or coming of age stories. These aspects are most effective when analyzing these works. The pieces may go deeper into the issues and questions at hand. The Centering on characterization, the point of view, symbolism or imagery, and significance of the title all help support the theme of these works and develop thoughts and opinions on the stories issues.
A certain matter-of-fact quality pervades the descriptions of the wounds inflicted and received by soldiers; the face-to-face attacks with rifle butts, spades, and grenades; the sounds, smells, and colors of death and dying in this book.
O’Brien, Tim. “How to Tell a True War Story.” The Things They Carried. Boston and New York: Mariner Books, 2009. 64-81. Print.
Have you ever thought about what it was like to live during World War 1, or what it was like to fight at war? At first glance of any war piece, you might think the author would try to portray the soldiers as mentally tough and have a smashing conscience. Many would think that fighting in a war shows how devoted you are to your country, however, that is not true. According to All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, the reality of a soldier's life is despondency, carnage and eradication at every bombardment. Living every day is not knowing if they will eat, see their families, or even if they will awaken the next day. Demeaning themselves from heroes to barely men without their military garment or identity. Remarque conveyed how
Meter, M. An Analysis of the Writing Style of Ernest Hemingway. Texas: Texas College of Arts and Industries, 2003.
When a writer starts his work, most often than not, they think of ways they can catch their reader’s attention, but more importantly, how to awake emotions within them. They want to stand out from the rest and to do so, they must swim against the social trend that marks a specific society. That will make them significant; the way they write, how they make a reader feel, the specific way they write, and the devotion they have for their work. Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgard Allan Poe influenced significantly the American literary canon with their styles, themes, and forms, making them three important writers in America.
3. How would you describe the author’s style? Examine the way the author writes, considering word choice, point of view, structure, special techniques (i.e., symbolism).
When a writer picks up their pen and paper, begins one of the most personal and cathartic experiences in their lives, and forms this creation, this seemingly incoherent sets of words and phrases that, read without any critical thinking, any form of analysis or reflexion, can be easily misconstrued as worthless or empty. When one reads an author’s work, in any shape or form, what floats off of the ink of the paper and implants itself in our minds is the author’s personality, their style. Reading any of the greats, many would be able to spot the minute details that separates each author from another; whether it be their use of dialogue, their complex descriptions, their syntax, or their tone. When reading an excerpt of Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast one could easily dissect the work, pick apart each significant moment from Hemingway’s life and analyze it in order to form their own idea of the author’s voice, of his identity. Ernest Hemingway’s writing immediately comes across as rather familiar in one sense. His vocabulary is not all that complicated, his layout is rather straightforward, and it is presented in a simplistic form. While he may meander into seemingly unnecessary detail, his work can be easily read. It is when one looks deeper into the work, examines the techniques Hemingway uses to create this comfortable aura surrounding his body of work, that one begins to lift much more complex thoughts and ideas. Hemingway’s tone is stark, unsympathetic, his details are precise and explored in depth, and he organizes his thoughts with clarity and focus. All of this is presented in A Moveable Feast with expertise every writer dreams to achieve. While Hemingway’s style may seem simplistic on the surface, what lies below is a layered...
	Robert Capa was born in Budapest, hungary in 1913. Robert Capa is most known for his photographs in war. Known for obtaining photos taken during a war that shows what it is like to be in a war. Showing things like the hardships that soldiers have to endure and the suffering of people whose homes and cities were destroyed as a result of war. His photos are divided into three categories: images of battle, images of the effect of war on individual soldiers and civilians, and the images of peace. As the photographer, he did more than just sit back and take the pictures, he also participated, getting as close as he could to the action just to take a good picture. He died sometime in 1954 by stepping on a land mine.
War has always been inevitable throughout the history of the world. The outcomes can differ greatly; it’s usually either a win or a loss. Wins or losses are just definite statements, but photos can represent these statements. Alfred Eisenstaedt’s “V-J Day in Times Square” shows an American sailor kissing a young woman right in the middle of Times Square, despite their surroundings. This iconic photo was taken after the U.S. declared victory over Japan in World War II, and was published in Life magazine a week later. John Gap’s (III) photo shows a young girl being consoled at a soldier’s funeral in a local high school gymnasium, later to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. This humble photo was taken during the war still raging in Afghanistan, showing that these types of losses happen quite often, as there are no iconic photos for Afghanistan compared to the photo shot after the win over World War II. Unlike its counterpart, this photo was published only at a local level on a website. Both these photos show a soldier being dismissed to go home from war. Although the two photos share that common factor, the scenario in which the soldier comes home differs greatly. Through these photos, Albert Eisenstaedt and John Gaps III help evoke pathos and give the observer a sense of the pride and the devastation felt of a home coming from war using photographic elements such as framing, focus, and angles.