John Agard: Checking Out Me History
- Created by: Jenny Jones
- Created on: 12-04-14 15:01
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- John Agard: Checking Out Me History
- Subject
- this poem makes us look at the way history is taught
- Agard had a follow a history curriculum biased towards whites, especially British white's
- he learnt about this instead of living black people from the past
- he challenges this view of history
- Structure
- poem alternates between two structures
- 1st uses repeated phrase "Dem tell me" to indicate white version of history
- 2nd are stories of three black historical figures
- Toussaint L'Overture
- Nanny de Maroon
- Mary Seacole
- told using abbreviated syntax with words missed out, shorter lines and irregular rhyme scheme
- poem alternates between two structures
- Language
- Agard uses variations in spelling to suggest Caribbean dialect
- replacing 'th' with 'd'
- stresses importance of carving out his own identity
- replacing 'th' with 'd'
- there's repeition particularly of 'Dem tell me'- creates a sense of rhythm throughout the poem
- End rhyme is heavily used emphasised with adapted sections of nursery rhymes
- Agard uses variations in spelling to suggest Caribbean dialect
- Imagery
- in "dem tell me" sections, poet refers to nursery-rhyme characters and non-historical people e.g robin hood and cow
- suggestion that the version of history taught to the poet isn't exactly accurate
- sections on black historical figures contain stronger imagery
- use of nature metaphors
- Toussaint L'Overture is a "thorn" and a "beacon"
- Nanny de Maroon linked wth a mountain, fire and rivers
- Mary Seacole describes with dramatic imagery "healing star" and a "yellow sunrise" tp patients she treats
- All three associated with light: "beacon", "fire-women" and "star"- they play metaphorical roles
- use of nature metaphors
- Attitudes, themes and ideas
- "Dem tell me'' sections have a rebellious tone to them, created by repetition
- Sections on three black historical figures are celebratory in tone, emphasised by images of nature
- poem challenges us to consider the meaning of history
- poet might be provoking us to check out our own histories
- Comparison
- Give
- both poems want to change
- voice of narrator is stron and direct
- tone is different: in Give it's sarcastic and Checking out me history is confident
- Les Grands Seigneures
- both use historical and fantastical imagery
- both poems change in power between narrator and other characters
- narrator of Les Grands Seigneures doesn't carve out her own identity
- Give
- Subject
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