Half-Caste Flashcards
Half-caste (title)
One word title - implies this is often the thing he feels defines him
Half-caste = derogatory term for mixed race - often used as an insult
Excuse me
Standing on one leg
“Excuse me” - instant connection to reader, establishes sarcastic tone, insincere apology
“Standing on one leg” - idea of this implies the person is not fully stable in their identity, or could mean their argument/viewpoint is not well backed up
Explain yuself (repeated during poem)
Direct address - confronting the reader, perhaps asking them to reconsider and analyse their racist views
Repeated throughout the poem - showing the speaker directly challenging the presumptions made by society
Yu mean when picasso
Mix red an green
Is a half-caste canvas
Visual colour imagery - emphasises point about the ridiculousness of half-caste insult
Could also suggest that beauty is created by mixing the races - as Picasso’s works are famous and widely considered to be amazing pieces of art
Yu mean when light an shadow
Mix in de sky
Is a half-caste weather
Visual imagery of opposites mixing - creates a beautiful image from something typically mundane
Reference to weather - suggests that it (being mixed race) is natural
Well in dat case
England weather
Nearly always half-caste
Calling out hypocrisy - him being criticised for being mixed race, when British culture is an amalgamation of other cultures from around the world
In fact some of dem cloud
Half-caste till dem overcast
So spiteful dem dont want de sun pass
Sibilance (“so spiteful”) - used to create a harsh tone, along with use of pathetic fallacy - adds to sense of hostility felt by speaker
May be subtly referring to those who use half-caste as an insult - pointing out they shut out other viewpoints (e.g. the sun) and people that could make their life more interesting/better
Mix a black key
Wid a white key
Is a half-caste symphony
Mixing black and white keys actually enriches the symphony, doesn’t reduce it (like suggested here to point out that the idea of half-caste is incorrect) - having a mixed race heritage enriched his life, being part of two cultures
Ah listening to yu wid de keen
Half of mih ear
Ah looking at wid de keen
Half of mih eye
Humorous - implying that having parents of different races gives him two personalities, also shows the absurdity of (indirectly) claiming someone is half a person due to their race
I offer yu half-a-hand
Alliteration and faster rhythm - creates a lighthearted tone to the section
I half-caste human being
Cast half-a-shadow
But yu must come back tomorrow
“Half-caste human being” - race defines him, but this also subtly points out he is human (despite being dehumanised by the insult half-caste)
“Half-a-shadow” - absurd image - challenging perception about the sense of incompleteness that half-caste implies
Discrepancy between “I” and “yu” - could indicate the speaker’s sense of isolation from those insulting him
Wid de whole of yu eye
An de whole of yu ear
An de whole of yu mind
Repetition of ”whole” - contrasts to repetition of “half” earlier on - concludes the poem with the sentiment the speaker is sufficient as he is
Could also be showing the reader how privileged they are, to not be seen as half
I will tell yu
De other half
Of my story
His race is not his whole identity - contrasts to title of poem, implying being half-caste is all he is
Written in non-standard english
Caribbean dialect - to highlight this aspect of his heritage - more authentic, deepens connection with audience
Structure
Written in free verse + extensive use of enjambment + lack of punctuation - sounds more informal, like a stream of consciousness - makes it seem more authentic
Begins with 3 line stanza + ends with 3 line stanza - creates the sense that the speaker has found some sort of resolution by writing the poem, perhaps an answer to the question he posed in the first stanza
