Allusions and Perspective in Derek Walcott’s Midsummer — Quiz
Question 20 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from Midsummer by Derek Walcott. The leaf stems tug at their chains, the branches bending like Boer cattle under Tory whips that drag every wagon nearer to apartheid. Based on the allusion to Tory whips, readers can infer that the speaker thinks that
Answer
A
most people do not think about the racial tension in England.
B
the racial tension in England is not affected by past events.
C
oppressive political groups are a thing of the past.
D
there are many examples of oppression throughout history.
Explanation
The phrase “Tory whips” evokes historical political oppression, while “nearer to apartheid” connects that oppression to racial segregation. Comparing the branches to cattle being driven by whips suggests that oppressive forces recur across different times and places. So the speaker implies there are many examples of oppression throughout history, choice D.
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