Allusions and Perspective in Derek Walcott’s Midsummer — Quiz
Question 17 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from Midsummer by Derek Walcott. Praise had bled my lines white of any more anger, and snow had inducted me into white fellowships, while Calibans howled down the barred streets of an empire This excerpt makes an allusion to the Shakespearean character Caliban, who was forced into servitude and suffered harsh treatment. What is the effect of alluding to this character?
Answer
A
It explains what the character does in Shakespeare’s play.
B
It draws a comparison between the author and the character.
C
It provides an explanation of what occurred in the streets.
D
It draws a comparison between the rioters and the character.
Explanation
Caliban is a character who is forced into servitude and treated harshly, so his name suggests oppression and resistance. Calling the people howling in the streets “Calibans” compares them to Shakespeare’s character and emphasizes their position as oppressed figures challenging the empire. The allusion does not simply explain events in the play or describe what happened in the streets.
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