Checking out me History (John Agard)

Question 1

Why does Agard write in non-standard English?

Answer 1

The non-standard phonetic spelling represents his own culture and identity which he expresses through his poetry

Question 2

What is significant about the use of the italics?

Answer 2

They create a song-like structure, showing the pride the speaker has of their country

Question 3

What is a key feature of the poem?

Answer 3

There is the separation and contrast between what is taught in the school system and what is ignored yet is arguable more important. The juxtaposition highlights the discrepancies between the real people and fictitious characters

Question 4

What are the key themes of the poem?

Answer 4

-History
-Education
-Identity

Question 5

What are the key images in the poem?

Answer 5

The imagery is of the heroes/heroines of the speaker’s history. There is the comparison between the beauty and power of nature and the semantic field of hope created by the natural imagery -“a yellow sunrise to the dying” “A healing star among the wounded” “hopeful stream to freedom river” the natural metaphors link to light to convey hope and to illuminate the historical identity of the poet.

Question 6

What is the significance of the line “dem tell me”?

Answer 6

Creates an ‘us against them’ mentality which separates the ideals of the speaker and the education system/government who are ignorant to history other than their own.