Talk:War-Torn/@comment-24101790-20150629013230

At first, I was really worried about assigning John Schumann/Redgum’s song “I was Only 19” due to the fact that it could easily devolve into the author repeatedly talking about the horrors of war without showing them. I am glad you really took the time to sit down and do your research. Agent Orange is a teratogen and has caused skin issues. (Just as many banana farmers in Central America can attest to certain issues with skin being bleached after using certain pesticides and herbicides.)

I enjoyed the scene with the stillbirth highlighting the horrors of war and unseen consequences. It didn’t come off as exploitative or shock-driven while it still drew focus on the trauma. I actually was a fan of the ending: “That incident with Agent Orange was forty five years ago and that just got me thinking about what sort of weapons must exist now.” It leaves the audience to really draw out the emotional punch without shoving it in their faces.

You do a good job of utilizing the song with references alluded all-throughout it. (“God help me, I’m only nineteen”, “the Frank Dylan I knew died the moment he kicked that landmine.”, etc) Aside from the little bump with the mix-up of factions, there weren’t too many glaring issues. The only negative I can really think of is that the story was a little too grounded and could have been a bit creepier.