Scott Anderson's novel "Triage deals" with war and the reminiscence of war. Mark Walsh, the protagonist in Triage is a New York based photojournalist who specialises in war photography. During the nine years Mark is in the industry, he believes that "you have to keep it separate, keep it separate, and you don't feel a thing." Even though within the first nine years Mark believes that he is following his own advice and "keeping it separate", in the novel there is much evidence of when he is unable to keep it separate and ultimately every war he goes to affects him.
Mark thinks that he is able to "keep it separate" but the novel demonstrates how Mark tries, but inevitably his subconscious is unable to "keep it separate". Mark's father is a former Marine who has also been scarred by war. He understands that war "affects you, it never stops affecting you."
English: Cases of PTSD and Severe Depression Among...
US Navy 101119-N-7214P-007 Rear Adm. C. Forrest Fi...
Regions of the brain affected by PTSD and stress.At the time Mark believes that he is fine, he had looked his father in the eye and said "it doesn't affect me." While trying to "keep it separate", Mark resorts to a range of protective behaviours. Joaquin refers to the camera as "a very convenient device for placing distance between oneself and one's surroundings." For Mark the camera acts as a shield between reality and him, he even admits "you kind of forget that what's happening in front of you is real." When Mark is in Harir Cave he is directly involved, "without your camera, it's not so easy." Talzani is referring to the fact that when you are apart of the war, when you are not just standing behind the camera shooting, when you are not separated by the camera, it is very different, and hard to deal with. When Mark has parties and get-togethers...