Allusions and Perspective in Derek Walcott’s Midsummer — Quiz
Question 16 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from Midsummer by Derek Walcott. With the stampeding hiss and scurry of green lemmings, midsummer’s leaves race to extinction like the roar of a Brixton riot tunneled by water hoses; they seethe toward autumn’s fire—it is in their nature, being men as well as leaves, to die for the sun. Based on the excerpt, what is the speaker’s perspective on the riot?
Answer
A
The speaker thinks that the riot was somewhat inevitable.
B
The speaker thinks that the riot was entirely preventable.
C
The speaker thinks that the riot was a mistake.
D
The speaker thinks that the riot should have happened in the fall.
Explanation
The speaker compares the riot to leaves rushing toward autumn and says it is in their nature to die for the sun. This suggests the riot, like the leaves’ movement toward their end, was driven by forces that made it somewhat inevitable. The excerpt does not say the riot was a mistake, should have happened later, or could have been prevented.
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