Literature-In-English Paper 3 WASSCE (SC), 2023

Question 11
Comment on the poet’s diction in Do not go Gentle into that Good Night
ness to die even though he recognises that death is inevitable.

Candidates’ performance in the question was average.

Most candidates only provided a brief explanation of diction and examples of the used word. The implication of these words was not discussed. The theme of the poem was also not stated or discussed.
Candidates are expected to discuss the following:

  • Identification of the themes of the inevitability of death.
  • Explanation of diction.
  • Euphemistic references to death: death is referred to as: ‘the dying of the light’, ‘that good night’, ‘at close of day’, ‘dark being right’ which belie the persona’s fear of death.
  • Use of words rejecting death: the poet accepts death as inevitable but is opposed to resigning oneself to it. This position is registered in the use of the words ‘burn’ and ‘rage’.  The implication is that death should be warded off as much as possible and in a very assertive manner; ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’.
  • Use of ‘not’ and modal verbs emphatically asserts the persona’s unwilling