LA task 2: Rainbow Death

1) Point of view
I think the poet wrote this poem in a third person point of view where he addresses the problem and situation as someone who is explaining them, depicting the damages that the Americans have dealt on the innocent Vietnamese by using the deadly chemical known as Agent Orange. This can be seen from how the writer starts off with the phrase "America did not foresee," where it can be interpreted that the poet was trying to show how careless America was in using the chemical Agent Orange which caused heavy damages to the people where they were "now thinking twice" but it had already taken its "toll on the innocent and unborn". Throughout the course of the poem, the poet seems to be narrating on how the chemical has destroyed lives and caused countless damages. Thus, the poet adopts a third-person point of view.

2) Situation and Setting
The setting and situation displayed in the poem is according to the Vietnam War where the Americans utilised the chemical Agent Orange to expose Vietnamese soldiers hiding in the foliage. This move proved useful in the early phases of warfare, but as time passed, the harmful side-effects of Agent Orange slowly began to reveal itself. It caused widespread damage to people's health everywhere. The poet chose to reflect Agent Orange in this poem as it can be considered as one of the most controversial incidents that has happened where its effects are still living on in our current society now.

3) Language/Diction
The poet masterfully incorporates appropriate diction to fully display the entire "feel" of the poem. The title itself, Rainbow Death, is an oxymoron where a rainbow would least likely be associated with death as a rainbow is bright and colorful while death is dark and sinister. Thus, the writer makes a reference to the "Rainbow Herbicides" that were used in the war that have caused many deaths when it was never meant to be lethal or damaging to health. Therefore, depicting the surprise that they got when something that they thought to be harmless was actually harmful. Another word that has the same meaning and effect as the title would be the words "death potpourri". A potpourri is a mixture of dried, natural and fragrant flowers. It is a stark contrast from death as a potpourri is usually to have a gentle fragrant scent through your house. But to associate it with death would turn it into an oxymoron, with the same effect and meaning as the way the title is written. Thus, with the careful use of these words, it can be seen that the poet is mocking the way the American soldiers used Agent Orange without realising its repercussions.

4) Personal response
This poem seemed strange to me at first, until I saw the last line that finally mentioned about Agent Orange. I have read about this Agent Orange before but that remained at the back of my head until I came across this poem that reawakened the spirit of the Agent Orange in me. I pitied the people who have and are suffering from the after effects of this deadly chemical. This poem also made me feel for the people that have gone through the tough trial oof warfare, where the war is not over when it stops and are still fighting battles of their own either physically or mentally. War has horrible repercussions that are unimaginable if started. Hence, I have understood and received the message that the poet was trying to convey and I hope that one day, war will be a distant thing of the past.