Checking Out Me History - John Agard Flashcards
What does the quote ‘Carving out me identity’ show?
Rebellion and the challenging of social norms
What are the main ideas of this poem?
- Explores the idea of man’s power to shape history
- Power
- The government and education system controlling what we learn
What does this poem challenge?
The way British history’s teaching is so heavily focused on European history
What term is used to show the complete fixation on European history?
Euro-centric
What rhyme schemes does Agard use?
- Simple rhyme - figures from British history
- Free verse - figures from Caribbean histroy
Who is this poem written by?
John Agard
What type of method is the quote ‘Bandage up me eye with me own history / Blind me to me own identity’ and what does it show? What do the words ‘Bandage’ and ‘Blind’ emphasise?
- A metaphor for him not being able to learn about or celebrate his black history
- A bandage is used for healing purposes, but it shows that it causes more bad than good
- The phrase ‘blind me’ show that he is forcefully being concealed from his own heritage by the government and education system
They both have connotations of violence and restriction. Conveys the pain caused by being cut off from his history
The alliteration of harsh ‘b’ sound reinforces the idea that the speaker feels that this is unpleasant
What does the repitition of the word ‘dem’ portray?
- Builds up an angry and flippant tone
- Conveys the speakers negative feelings towards those with the authority to present a one-sided view of history
What does the word ‘Carving’ hint at?
Rebellion
What does the word ‘identity’ being the last word of the poem show?
Significance
What phrases show that Agard has a flippant tone towards British governors and the education system?
‘dem’ and ’ and all dat’
