Sample Response: The speaker in Derek Walcott’s Midsummer makes allusions to the Brixton riots. These allusions show that the sp
eaker is thinking about racial tension in England and sees England as a place of unrest and discord. The speaker also makes allusions to many different Shakespearean texts. Although someone tells the speaker that black actors have “no experience” with Shakespeare, these allusions display the speaker’s deep knowledge of Shakespeare. These allusions help reveal his perspective that British culture belongs to people of all races. What did you include in your response? Check all that apply.
I identified two allusions.
I analyzed two allusions.
I discussed how allusions connect to the speaker’s perspective.
I included details from the text to support my answer.
The speaker in Derek Walcott's Midsummer describes in his perspective the allusions in the Brixton riots. By analyzing the two allusions in his poem, the sonnets, "I was there to add some color to the British theater." that black people are generally viewed and treated as outsiders, and his feelings and emotions about racial tension in England among other race. The speaker uses another type of allusion in literature, "But the blacks can't do Shakespeare, they have no experience." Derek Walcott's had a deep knowledge of Shakespeare. In other words, the speaker's allusion and perspective were critical of the attitude that the British towards the race in England, where he also feel distant from other black people.
