Literature-In-English Paper 3 Jan/Feb.2022

Question 9

 

Comment on the poet’s use of pun on ‘home’ in A Government Driver on his Retirement


Observation

 

This was a popular question as the figure of speech seems to be a familiar one. However, most candidates were unable to relate the usage of this figure of speech to the theme of the poem.
Candidates were expected to discuss the following:

  • Identification of the theme of moderation
  • Definition/Explanation of pun and ‘home’ – connotatively and denotatively.
  • ‘Home’ as a ‘house where one lives’: In stanza 1, ‘home’ is seen as the place where the government driver sets out for work for 35 years.
  • ‘Home’ as ‘retirement’: In stanza 2, ‘home’ is used in reference to the government driver’s retiring from service.
  • ‘Home’ as ‘death’

Candidates’ efforts were commendable.

.