checking out me history

Question 1

what does the the repetition of “dem tell me” at the beggining of the poem suggest?

Answer 1

the constant barrage of
euro-centric learning

Question 2

give a quote where restrictive verbs are used to create an idea that the version of events given to him was harmful?

Answer 2

“bandage up me eye with me own history, Blind me to me own identity”

Question 3

where is fact mixed with fiction to create a sense of confusion?

Answer 3

“dem tell me about Dick Whittington and he cat, But Toussaint L’Ouverture, no dem never tell me about that”

Question 4

what is the effect of the use of “dem”?

Answer 4

creates a faceless body so shows a general dislike for authority

Question 5

what are the effects of the structures of the italic stanzas?

Answer 5

they have short verses and irregular rhyme - creates a drum like beat and reflects Caribbean musical traditions

Question 6

give a quote from the fifth stanza where rhyme is introduced - why is ryhme gradually encorperated?

Answer 6

-“dem tell me bout the dish ran away with de spoon, but dem never tell me bout Nanny de maroon”
-is creates an sense of pace as the speaker gets more riled up

Question 7

give a quote about how Nanny de maroon is described and why this is significant?

Answer 7

-“fire-woman struggle, hopeful stream, to freedom river”
-natural imagery suggests her vast power but also is very different to how westerners view their historical figures

Question 8

give a quote where white figures are placed alongside ethnic minority figures and what it shows?

Answer 8

-“dem tell me bout Columbus and 1492, but what happened to de Caribs and the Arawaks too”
-shows the one-sidedness of the education system, conflict

Question 9

give a quote where inaccurate terms are used and why

Answer 9

-“how Robin Hood used to camp”
-shows a lack of intrest in the history he is taught

Question 10

give a quote where natural imagery is used to describe Mary Seacole?

Answer 10

-“she still brave the russian snow, a healing star”
-creates an almost mythological character which links to the passing down of stories in other cultures
-also makes it more passionate than when he talks about the others

Question 11

what is the effect of “I carving out me identity”?

Answer 11

violent metaphor - carving suggests something that requires overcoming violence in order to do

Question 12

what is the effect of the word ‘dem’ throughout the poem to do with rhythm and what is the effect of “dem tell”?

Answer 12

-‘dem’ is a monosyllabic pronoun so replicates a drum beat
-conflict is highlighted in the harsh difference in sound between “dem” and “tell”