Task 2 (26th May 2010)

1. Point of view: By-stander, someone afflicted

Evidence: "toll on the innocent"

Elaboration: The point of view is that of an innocent person who was affected by the decision of America's government to send troops to fight in the Vietnamese War. Only someone who is innocent would write this out, only someone who is affected and afflicted with a medical problem due to the War would denounce the actions of the government

2. Situation and setting: Aftermath of war, some time later

Evidence: "generations untold WILL pay"

Elaboration: It shows that the by-stander knows what kind of effects are going to occur in the future because he has seen it himself/herself BECAUSE it was after the war, BECAUSE he already saw SOME of the effects taking place.

3. Language/Diction: The language is explicit, blatantly talking of the American government's mistakes. The explicit nature of the poem kind of tells you that you know, the war is over, the Government cannot hide the true nature and aftermath of war, it is what it is. Explicit.

Evidence: "reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead"

Elaboration: This is obviously, explicitly talking about the prolonged effects of being infected with chemical substances from Agent Orange. About all the side-effects of taking in Agent Orange. In the end, Mr Wilson even pens down "execrable effects of agent orange spray!" The punctuation mark '!' somehow gives an emphasis on the exasperation and helplessness the voice feels.

4. Personal response: This poem really makes me think about the horrible effects of war, the ever-lasting effects and the innocent civilians have to bear the brunt and cost of fuelling the war when in fact, they do not want to.

Evidence: It's almost throughout the whole poem, in fact, it IS the whole poem.

Elaboration: "America did not foresee" shows that the country did not think in advance and that would probably lead to something terrible [foreshadow]. "expecting others to pay a high price" refers to the government officials slacking away in their offices, sending men out there like flowing water to lose their lives for something they don't want to put their heart into (it's not our war). "disregarding who will mourn" demonstrates the government's nonchalant attitude towards the civilians.

* Self-analysis