Checking out me history

Question 1

Poem’s form

Answer 1

The narrator uses a mixture of stanza forms, suggesting he’s breaking the confininf languae rules he’s been taught. The Carribean history stanzas have shorter lines and more borken syntax than the British history stanzas - this emphasises them and makes them seem more serious. The rhyme schemes are also different - the Birtish stanzas have lots of rhymes, making them sound childish.

Question 2

Poem’s structure

Answer 2

The poem alternates between historical and fictional figures from the Carribean and British culture, emphasising the differences between them. The British figures are skipped over quickly, with little respect, whereas the Carribean figures are covered in more detail.

Question 3

Poem’s themes

Answer 3

• Conflict of identity
• Power of man
• Power of institutions
• Internal conflict