APO 96225

I found this poem very sad and disheartening. I think situational irony is taking place here. The mother knows her son is holding back information, but once she gets the information it's too much for her to handle. I think the irony is effective because it's very understandable. Most mothers worry about everything especially their children, and they can't stand to hear bad things happening to them. I think this poem really relates to America and it's past.
The questions after the poem stated that APO 96225 was the mailing address for the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. I know that during the Vietnam War and just wars in general, the people at home really have no idea what's taking place overseas. They act like they want to know what's going on but they really don't want anything to do with the horrific scenes taking place. At first the mother wanted to know everything telling her son "don't hold back" and "tell us what it's really like". However, once she learned the truth, the father had to respond to the son telling him that his story was "upsetting" his mother. I think this is true for many people. We want to hide problems and act like they don't exist so that we don't have to deal with them.

What is a home?-5

"Home, home-a few small rooms, stiflingly over-inhabited by a man, by a periodically teeming woman, by a rabble of boys and girls of all ages. No air, no space; an understerilized prison; darkness, disease, and smells." (Brave New World, page 37)


The Contoller is explaining to the students what past life was like with family and homes. In our world today, the family and the home are extremely important to almost every human being. Most people today visualize the home as a place of love and comfort and a place to go to when all else fails. However, the Controller's description of the home is situational irony. It is the complete opposite of what the reader knows and expects. 


This situational irony really puts into perspective the atmosphere and tone of the novel. The Controller's explanation of the home provides an evil and destructive image and makes the students cringe just thinking about it. The description of the past and how awful homes and families were helps the reader understand why the Hatchery and Condition Centre exists. How reproduction works and why every one belongs to every one else is starting to make sense. There are still plenty of unanswered questions though...