Observation

Many candidates attempted this question. However, they could not bring out what piano and drums symbolize and the clash of cultures in the poem. They only gave the European and the African cultures as the only noticeable symbols without further explanation of other identified symbols.

Candidates were expected to discuss the following points:

• Symbolism is representation of an abstract idea or thing by concrete objects. Piano and Drums are key symbols.
• The images associated with the drums are evoking, idyllic/pastoral setting.
• The images associated with the piano invoking artificiality, sophistication and even sorrow.
• The poet’s complex attitude towards both symbols.

Candidates' performance was poor.