This is my second task, a follow-up from the first one. Enjoy!
Task 2
Complete the template provided in Annex A, focusing on (1) Point of View; (2) Situation and Setting; (3) Language/Diction; and (4) Personal Response, and post your response to Task 2 on your blog. This template is based on John Lye’s ‘Critical Analysis of Poetry’, and you can make reference to this in Annex B when in doubt.
Complete the template provided in Annex A, focusing on (1) Point of View; (2) Situation and Setting; (3) Language/Diction; and (4) Personal Response, and post your response to Task 2 on your blog. This template is based on John Lye’s ‘Critical Analysis of Poetry’, and you can make reference to this in Annex B when in doubt.
1)Point of view
2) Situation and Setting
3) Language/Diction
4)Personal Response
First of all, here's the poem:
Rainbow Death by Hubert Wilson
America did not foresee
Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!
Expecting others to pay a high price.
Now thinking twice?
Toll on the innocent and unborn.
Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.
Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.
All the deceit continues to spread.
Nefariously America led astray -
Generations untold WILL pay -
Execrable effects of agent orange spray!
Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!
Expecting others to pay a high price.
Now thinking twice?
Toll on the innocent and unborn.
Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.
Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.
All the deceit continues to spread.
Nefariously America led astray -
Generations untold WILL pay -
Execrable effects of agent orange spray!
1)Point of View:
I think the poem was written from the point of view of somebody who had first hand experience in the Vietnam War, ie. the person had experienced fighting in the war before. It could be written by a soldier.
I think the poem was written from the point of view of somebody who had first hand experience in the Vietnam War, ie. the person had experienced fighting in the war before. It could be written by a soldier.
Evidence that the poem could be written by a soldier is that the persona explains and elaborates a lot about "agent orange", the toxin used largely in the Vietnam War. In the poem, the writer explains the effects of agent orange on people, such as that agent orange would result in illness, birth defects and premature death.
Hence, this shows how the persona understood the Vietnam War well and had experienced fighting in the War before.
2) Situation and Setting:
The setting and situation of the poem are most likely after agent orange was tried and tested in the Vietnam War. The persona's tone explains this as he elaborates on how bad an effect agent orange had on the war, causing illnesses, premature death, and such. The persona tries to show us how agent orange will affect the lives of the people exposed to agent orange, and why agent orange should not be used anywhere, whether in the war or somewhere else. Hence, the persona is trying to emphasise that agent orange is overall detrimental to the Vietnamese population and it should not be used anymore.
3)Language/Diction:
The writer and persona adopts a harsh, severe tone as he tries to show how war will have negative and detrimental effects on the Vietnamese civilians. By his language in the poem, especially when the writer uses the specific word "potpourri", we can pick up the tone of the poet. Since "potpourri", in this scenario, represents the many deaths of people because of the war, we can tell that the writer discourages war and is trying to bring across the consequences of war to the reader(s). Furthermore, the title "Rainbow Death" contradicts itself as death is usually not associated with something so positive like the rainbow. The poet could possibly be trying to say that the war is unpleasant as rainbows usually represent hope and death is usually representive of destruction. Perhaps, the rainbows could represent the herbicides used in the War. Hence, the writer could be trying to discourage the herbicides used in the war which would ultimately cause death and destruction.
2) Situation and Setting:
The setting and situation of the poem are most likely after agent orange was tried and tested in the Vietnam War. The persona's tone explains this as he elaborates on how bad an effect agent orange had on the war, causing illnesses, premature death, and such. The persona tries to show us how agent orange will affect the lives of the people exposed to agent orange, and why agent orange should not be used anywhere, whether in the war or somewhere else. Hence, the persona is trying to emphasise that agent orange is overall detrimental to the Vietnamese population and it should not be used anymore.
3)Language/Diction:
The writer and persona adopts a harsh, severe tone as he tries to show how war will have negative and detrimental effects on the Vietnamese civilians. By his language in the poem, especially when the writer uses the specific word "potpourri", we can pick up the tone of the poet. Since "potpourri", in this scenario, represents the many deaths of people because of the war, we can tell that the writer discourages war and is trying to bring across the consequences of war to the reader(s). Furthermore, the title "Rainbow Death" contradicts itself as death is usually not associated with something so positive like the rainbow. The poet could possibly be trying to say that the war is unpleasant as rainbows usually represent hope and death is usually representive of destruction. Perhaps, the rainbows could represent the herbicides used in the War. Hence, the writer could be trying to discourage the herbicides used in the war which would ultimately cause death and destruction.
4)Personal Response:
This poem is indeed skillfully written, using figurative language to convey an important message: that the consequences of war are never pleasant. Especially when a toxin such as agent orange is used. The poem is basically trying to convey the message that children can be orphaned, people can develop sicknesses, and the most obvious: lives can be claimed. And the source of this is just war. And war is only brought about when two countries only look out for their own interests and do not consider the feelings of the other countries. So the writer is trying to tell us that war can be prevented! There is no need for war at all if countries are not so selfish, if they are willing to sacrifice a bit to prevent war. In essence, the writer is trying to convince us to do our part to prevent war as the consequences of war will be harmful to everybody.
Okay that's all!