Checking Out Me History

Question 1

Poet

Answer 1

John Agard

Question 2

Key Quotes

Answer 2

“Dem tell me” - separation of Eurocentric British education from himself, creates sense of ‘them’ and ‘us’
“But now I checking out me own history” - emphatic final word, sums up theme of poem; he has to do the work himself since racist education system doesn’t for him

Question 3

Form

Answer 3

Mixture of stanza forms = breaking confining/conventional language rules being taught
Rhyme scheme difference when talking about British history, making them seem childish with simple rhymes

Question 4

Language

Answer 4

His education kept his true heritage hidden from him - metaphor
Talk more about “Robin Hood” than “Mary Seacole”

Question 5

Themes

Answer 5

Power of Humans
Anger (negative emotion)
Identity

Question 6

Context

Answer 6

1970s
Moved to Britain from Guyana
Grew up in a time of great American segregation
Born before civil rights movement

Question 7

Structure

Answer 7

Alternates between historical and fictional figures from Caribbean and British culture (differences between them)
British figures skipped over briefly, Caribbean in detail