Photograph From 9/11 By Szymborska Analysis

Historical conflicts such as 9/11 are often memorialised by the literature that is composed in the aftermath of such disasters. The poem, ‘Photograph from September 11’, composed by Polish Nobel Laureate Wisława Szymborska exists as a poignant reminder of the harrowing events that transpired on the 11th of September, 2001. In particular, Szymborska’s poem grapples with a confronting and often overlooked reality of 9/11; the reality of the estimated 200 ‘jumpers’ or ‘fallers’ who were captured falling from the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. This is evident, immediately, in the first stanza where Szymborska writes bluntly “They jumped from the burning floors—”. According to Luger, poems generate and provide meaning to the memory of 9/11 in their subject, their vocabulary, their imagery and their voices (Luger, 2011, p.4). In this regard, the aim of this critical analysis will be to examine

Szymborska anniversary poem serves to commemorate the tragic loss of human life that occurred on the day as well as to remind her audience of the ‘jumpers’ who may have been forgotten. Szymborska pre-empted the possibility of an adverse response and rhetorically crafted her poem in manner that would honour the ‘jumpers’, without inciting anger or instilling fear. Szymborska’s appeal to pathos is most evident in the poem. Szymborska gently plucks at the heartstrings of her audience, evoking emotions of common loss and sorrow. However, her appeals to the emotions of her prospective audience are by no means excessive or overbearing. Szymborska shows admiral constraint. The poem is not an overacted performance, instead the use of pathos is both cathartic and sophisticated. Unlike various other types of literature and music, the poem does not promote heart-pounding patriotism or spur revenge and anger. The tone of the poem is sombre and