Checking out me history Flashcards
Who wrote Checking out me history?
John Agard
Why is there a lack of punctuation?
To make it more difficult for the reader to read to reflect the speaker’s own situation having something forced upon him which he didn’t fully comprehend.
When he moved to England, what did he notice about history?
Black history was missed out.
What does “dem tell me” indicate?
The white version of history
Why is the whole poem enjambment?
To reflect Agard’s frustration and anger building up throughout. As the enjambment never stops it could suggest that racism will never stop
Why does Agard use the pronoun “dem”?
To segregate himself from white people
What does the metaphor “bandage up me eye with me own history” suggest?
White people are trying to stop him from knowing about his history.
How does the emotive language “slave” make us feel?
Sad
Why does Agard use nursery rhymes?
To suggest that he has been brought up with the history and traditions of white people
What does the emotive language “struggle”, “freedom” and “hopeful” suggest?
The struggle that black people have faced throughout history; the struggle to be free, the struggle to be independent, the struggle to be equal.
What is a key theme in the poem?
Struggle for Equality
What does “dem tell me wha dem want to tell me” suggest about those in charge?
They are being very biased and racist and very selective
Why does Agard use the personal pronoun “I” in “But now I checking out me own history”?
To announce that he is taking control of his education and he will not let those in power dictate his knowledge of the black race. He is standing proud.
“I carving…”
“I carving out me history”
What does the violent verb “carving” suggest?
Agard is willing to do whatever it takes to find out about his culture, suggesting the pride and honour he feels.
