Question

analyzing allusions
poem:
i was there to add some color to the british theater.
\but the blacks cant do shakespeare, they have no experience.\
this was true. their thick skulls bled with rancor when the riot police and the skinheads exchanged quips
you could trace to the sonnets
—midsummer, derek walcott
allusions:
which statement best describes the effects of allusions in the passage?
○ the allusions show that the police and the skinheads shared a common language based on their race.
○ the allusions help the speaker describe the poor educational system in england at the time.
○ the allusions create a peaceful image of different ethnic groups discussing art and literature together.
○ the allusions suggest that the speaker supports a violent response to racism.

Explanation:

The poem alludes to Shakespeare (his works, specifically the Sonnets and his association with British theater). The quote claims Black people "can't do Shakespeare," and the racist groups (skinheads, riot police) use this cultural reference in their hostile quips. This shows they share a racially charged common language tied to this allusion. The other options are incorrect: the text doesn't focus on the education system, the interaction is hostile not peaceful, and the speaker doesn't endorse violent response.

Answer:

The allusions show that the police and the skinheads shared a common language based on their race.