Chapter Overview
A Photograph by Shirley Toulson is a poignant poem that explores the themes of time, transience and memory. The poet reminisces about an old photograph of her mother and reflects on the changes brought by time.
The poem contrasts childhood joy with the silence of loss, illustrating how photographs capture moments that remain unchanged even as life moves on.
Important Keywords
- Photograph: A captured memory that remains unchanged over time
- Mother: The central figure in the photograph, representing past joy
- Time: A major theme, showing how everything changes except memories
- Loss: The poet’s reflection on her mother’s absence
- Silence: The emotional void left by the passage of time