Checking Out Me History-Agard

Question 1

opening

Answer 1

repetition of ‘dem tell me’
-The use of repetition here creates an accusatory tone, showing the speaker’s anger
-refuses to conform to English language
-contrast of ‘dem’ and ‘me’ shows how he doesn’t see himself as part of the British Education system

Question 2

held back

Answer 2

‘bandage up me eye with me own history’
-This has injury-like connotations which imply that the speaker feels he has been hurt by his sheltered upbringing
-metaphor shows he is being held back from seeing his own identity
-bandage is ironic as its meant to heal but here causes blindness

Question 3

what does he refer to British history

Answer 3

‘all dat’
-implies how reader already knows it
-also suggests how its of little importance to him

Question 4

cow

Answer 4

‘Dem tell me bout de man who discover de balloon and de cow who jump over de moon…Nanny de maroon’
-This phrase from the semantic field of childhood implies that the speaker feels he has lost his childhood and is stuck in the past
-mocks white history due to the juxtaposition of nursery rhymes and balloon with a serious historical figure

Question 5

nanny ‘

Answer 5

‘Nanny see-far woman of mountain dream fire-woman struggle hopeful stream to freedom river’
-links to the idea of her having vision which implies she can see into the future and implies greatness as a leader
-connects her to nature and water which implies she is very spiritual and connected to earth
-water is often a symbol of hope and freedom since where theres water theres life
-short lines show righteous anger

Question 6

ending

Answer 6

‘I carving out me own identity’
-violent verb which shows the effort needed to actively seek out own identity
-emphatic last word sums up the main theme and shows he is going to use his history (black history ) to form his identity