Childhood death in early 20th century America, like mother death in childbirth, wasn't uncommon. Most families would have had an incidence of it in their tree.
Many of those who lost their mothers in that manner ended up in an 'orphanage' or were raised by aunts/uncles.
The 1941 audience didn't need more story than what Stevens gave them, imo.
As well, what Stevens chose to do is no different than, say, having a telegram from the War Dept announce a death in a movie about the coping of the soldier's survivors.
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Howlin Wolf
10 years ago
Death is 'expected' as part of wartime, though. Nobody expects their child to die, regardless of how common it was.
You can make a general point about death during war. When it's something as individual as one particular family losing their child, then it needs to be specific so the audience are allowed to see its unique effect and what the child meant to them, imo. A letter does the opposite and makes it an impersonal and distant event. That may be how generals see death during war, but it should not be how a parent views the loss of their child.
"Your mother puts license plates in your underwear? How do you sit?!"
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