Half-caste Flashcards
Half-caste
Derogatory term for someone of mixed race
Explain yuself
wha yu mean
when you say half-caste
Direct address interrogates, challenges the use of the racist term.
Repetition symbolises yearning for an answer, and intensity of the persona’s wish to challenge the stereotype
picasso … is a half-caste canvas
tchaikovksy … is a half-caste symphony
Masters of their art
Criticises half-caste as a derogatory term by reclaiming it to describe beautiful concepts with visual and auditory imagery
england weather
nearly always half-caste
Creates a small satirical interlude of shared humour
Calls out hypocricy of English
half-a-hand
half-an-eye
half-a-dream
half-a-shadow
Ridicules the term - satirises the word as ludicrous to even consider, and implores readers to reframe their use of the word as such
Lack of punctuation increases the pace to a rant-like tone.
Half acting as an extended metaphor for the reason why others view him as being inferior
Half a dream - Lack of opportunity
Half an eye - Sleeping with one eye closed -> Caution due to the violence against black people due to stereotypes
yu must
de whole
- Imperative implies the reader currently doesn’t have a whole mind
Insinuates that those who use the term and view someone of mixed heritage as inferior isn’t using the whole of their mind
an I will
Imperative shows that Agard does want to share his story
Enjambment
Increases pace
Carribean dialect and phonetic spelling
Creates authentic voice for the reader, highlighting Carribean aspects of heritage
