no problem Flashcards
what is the poem about?
the poem no problem is about zephaniah’s childhood and how he was treated as a different raced child.
what two themes are explored in ‘no problem’?
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 an individual, not a skin colour.
what two themes are explored in ‘no problem’
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 is structure used in the poem?
Each section of the poem is led by the refrain ‘I
am not de problem?’ . The first stanza is largely jovial, mockingly referring to some of the attitudes that he has had to contend with. The second stanza is slightly more serious, and reveals the key message about British society.
which quote proves this?
“Black is not de problem
Mother country get it right.”
how is form used in the poem?
The poem is a monologue read by a single character – it appears to be the voice of Zephaniah himself. There are only two stanzas, but the refrain breaks the poem up into further sections. The poem generally employs A-B-C-B rhyme scheme, which is occasionally held by half-rhymes. The
