Observation

Most candidates were able to do these as the question was a popular one.  Some, however, only gave a summary of the poem. The responses also lack textual references.
This question demands that candidates:

• Identification of the themes of oppression and the quest for, or the enjoyment of freedom. The free bird and the caged bird represent freedom and oppression.
• Explanation of contrast.
• Contrast applied to the free bird: He has freedom of movement, dominates his environment.
• Contrast applied to the caged bird: The caged bird has restricted movement, is incapable of dreaming, but has ‘nightmare screams’.
• Purpose of the contrasts: to highlight the restrictions of oppression, to highlight the importance of freedom, to show empathy for all that are oppressed, human and non-human.

Candidates’ performance in the question was good.