A Photograph
By Shirley Toulson
Learning Objectives
learning objectives include developing skills in reading aloud, identifying figures of speech,
understanding the poem's themes of memory and loss, and expressing personal reflections on the
poem's content.
Introduction
The poem is about a woman reminiscing over an old photograph of her mother from childhood. It is a
poignant exploration of memory and loss, focusing on the impact of a childhood photograph on the
poet's life. The poem uses the photograph as a lens through which to reflect on her mother's life and the
passage of time, ultimately highlighting the bittersweet nature of remembering a loved one.
Theme
The transience of life, memory, and the power of photographs to capture and preserve moments in
time, alongside the feeling of loss and the lasting impact of past events. The poem explores how a
photograph can evoke both joy and sorrow, reminding us of the past and the inevitability of change and
decay
Summary
A Photograph is a poem written by English poet Shirley Toulson. It portrays a daughter’s nostalgic
recollection of her mother’s memories and laments over the absence of her mother in her present time.
She looks at an old photograph of her mother, which had once been a cherished object that brought
happiness to her. Her mother’s laugh and comments on this photograph are part of a joyous moment
that no longer exists in her life. She compares and contrasts her mother’s life with the sea, which seems
to be a static element throughout lives and does not change much even though people who see it do
grow old and die eventually.
Poetic Devices
1. 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
2. Epithet – a phrase expressing a quality of a person or something
Terribly transient
3. Oxymoron – a term which contradicts itself
Laboured ease
Frequently asked questions
Q. The sea appears to have changed less in comparison to the three girls who enjoyed the sea holiday.
Comment.
Ans: The poet contrasts the transient character of people with the enduring qualities of the sea or other
natural objects. The huge sea hasn’t changed much since the photo was taken, even though the poet’s
mother grew old and passed away over time.
Q. Why does the poet feel nostalgic?
Ans: The poet comes across an old photo of her mother standing on the seashore with Dolly and Betty,
two of her cousins. They were having a good time. When she was about twelve years old, her mother
was seen in the picture with a nice smile on her face. When the poet’s mother would see that old
portrait, she used to giggle, the poet recalls. Yet, time has gone, and the poet is now left with nothing
but her mother’s memories. Thus she experiences nostalgia.
Q. Comment on the tone of the poem.
Ans: The poem has a melancholy tone to it. Shirley Toulson becomes visibly upset when she sees an old
photo of her mother and is saddened to think of her deceased mother. She only makes passing
references to her mother’s passing; nonetheless, this picture has rendered her dumb and silent.
