Observation

A few candidates attempted this question. Candidates, from their responses failed to show an understanding of “oppression” as most of them narrated the poem without stating who the oppressors and oppressed were and ways in which they were being oppressed.

Candidates were expected to discuss the following points:

• The fact that this is a protest poem.
• Details of the dining table and the bizarre menu.
• The widespread suffering in the community.
• The poet’s resolve to lead a revolution.
• The impression that the oppression will not end, which reinforces the theme.

Candidates’ performance in this question was fair.