POETRY | Half Caste

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

• Agard moved to England in 1977, with Guyana and Portuguese parents.
• Love for language grew from childhood cricket commentary.
• Poem “Half-Caste and other poems” explores race issues in the UK.
• Reflects feelings of being labeled “half-caste” upon moving.

Question 2

Form: “excuse me”, “explain yuself”, “wha yu mean” and I half-caste human being // cast half-a-shadow,

Answer 2

• The speaker expresses frustration with racial treatment.
• The first stanza begins with an assertive “excuse me” symbolizing previous politeness.
• The speaker demands “explain yuself,” indicating an interrogative style.
• The speaker’s frustration is indicative of aging resentment.
• The poem is retrospective, with the speaker demanding the subject to explain “wha yu mean.”
• The jaded tone is evident in the sarcasm in “I half-caste human being // cast half-a-shadow,” highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

Poem begins with a three-line introduction.
* Ends with a three-line stanza, indicating resolution.
* Middle stanzas are much longer and suggest that their content is a passive stream of consciousness, unrestricted by speaker.