Checking Out Me History Flashcards

1
Q

‘Dem tell me / dem tell me’

A

Repetition creating an accusatory tone, showing the speaker’s anger.

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2
Q

‘Bandage up me eye with me own history’

A

Injury-like connotations, he feels he’s been hurt by his sheltered upbringing. Bandages are supposed to be healing, yet this bandage is not.

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3
Q

‘Toussaint de beacon’

A

Another reference to light - a black historical figure is a source of light.

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4
Q

‘See-far woman’

A

Another reference to vision/sight.

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5
Q

‘A healing star among the wounded’

A

Another reference to sight and injury.

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6
Q

How does the structure affect the poem?

A
  • The division between the stanzas through italics shows the separation between the history he was taught and black history.
  • The repetition of ‘dem tell me’ mirrors rote learning, and it could be inferred that he had to rote learn the history he was taught due to its lack of personal relevance to him.
  • The rhyme scheme ties together the sections concerning white and black history, showing how Agard is attempting to end segregation through literary unification.
  • Each stanza ends with a reference to a black historical figure which shows their significance to Agard. It could also be interpreted as these figures having less historical prominence. Black historical figures are given separate stanzas, which could be them finally receiving recognition. The rich imagery in those stanzas juxtaposes the childish vocabulary used in the others.
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7
Q

How are metaphors used?

A
  • Violent metaphors are used to show the cruelty of colonialism. “Blind me to me own identity,” shows the deliberate nature of the abuse, and could imply that it’s changed Agard’s world views.
  • The active verb in “I carving out me identity” creates the impression that it’s an ongoing process. It also has painful connotations, implying that the pain inflicted from his childhood still hurts him.
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