Observation

This was not a popular question. a good number of candidates who attempted this question confused symbols with figures of speech such as irony, allusion, etc. while many others focused solely on the symbolic nature of Mrs Dalton’s blindness.

Candidates were expected to mention the following points:

* The rat as a symbol of poverty, dirt, helplessness etc.

* The rat parallels Bigger as a symbol of the oppressed.

* Mrs Dalton’s blindness as the symbol of the internal blindness of the white racists.

* The colour symbols to signify blood, snow and skin.

* The snow falling to symbolize the stifling white society.

* The flying plane symbolizing the failed aspirations of the black boy.

* The cross as a symbol of salvation and damnation.

Candidates’ performance was fair.