half caste Flashcards
who was John Agard
John Agard (born 1949) is an
Afro-Guyanese poet and playwright who now
lives in the UK. When he moved to the UK in the
1970s, he began teaching people about
Caribbean culture and worked in a library. He
often conveys his Caribbean voice in his poems, using non- standard spelling to represent his accent. His poems are often
rebellious in nature, challenging common ways of thinking
and confronting discriminatory behaviour.
Why does the author use colloqualism ? what quotes show this?
“Yu mean when light an shadow Mix in de sky” this show the conversational tone that this poem is set in
why is repetition and fillers used in the poem?
to make it as convesational and as like as if a mate was taking to you
WHat are the terms used to describe how punctuation is used in the poems?
enjambment and caesura
how is the poem structured
The poem appears to be split into two main halves. In the opening half of the poem, Agard uses a range of humerous analogies to show that the word ‘half-caste’ has
no meaning. In the second half of the poem, the speaker
sarcastically discusses being half a person. He ends by asking the reader to use their ‘whole mind’ before addressing him.
what quote could you use to show this
“An de whole of yu ear
And de whole of yu mind”
What are the two themes the author explores?
Racism – The poem is about the racist attitudes that held by people in the British society in which the speaker lives. It is demonstrated that many of these stereotypes and prejudices are so deeply engrained in people’s minds that they do not even realise their racism. The speaker reveals how he longs to be recognised as a whole person – not ‘half caste.’
Divisions – The speaker presents a society that is divided, and in which there is animosity towards one another from two opposing sides. By juxtaposing white and black language and ideas together throughout the entirety of the poem, the poet is able to highlight the gulf that people create between themselves and others in society.
How does this poem link to conflict
ot links to conflict with his conflict with society and people not understanding that they are using racist words
