Literature-In-English Paper 3 WASSCE (PC 2ND), 2020

Question 12

 

    Comment on the use of the use of the word rest in The Pulley.


Observation

 

 

Many candidates attempted this question. However, most of them merely narrated the poem.

 

The required answer should include the following points:

 

  • The God’s desire for an intimate relationship with man.
  • ‘Rest’ as literary device (Pun).
  • The first pun on ‘rest’; meaning contentment, relaxation, comfort/peace.
  • The Second pun on ‘rest’ meaning ‘dwell’: God wants to prevent man from relying on nature.
  • The Third pun on ‘rest’ meaning ‘a remainder’: Here ‘rest’ refers to all of the other gifts which man can keep, yet, by denying man ‘rest’, i.e. peace/comfort, man becomes weary and restless.
  • The various uses of ‘rest’ assert God’s love for mankind, for which reason, He is prepared to withhold ‘rest’ among all his gifts so that in man’s weariness, He may be tossed back to God’s breast.

 

Candidates’ performance was good.