Checking Out Me History by John Agard Flashcards
Where was John Agard Born?
Born in the Caribbean (1949) and moved to the UK (1970).
How was John Agard taught History?
He was only Taught about White Europeans.
“Dem.” What does this show?
They, this tells us where he is From.
“Bandage Up…Blind.” What does this show?
Blinded, Suggesting Pain, he’s been Blinded (you Unwind a Bandage and Cover up Pain).
“All Dat.” What does this show?
Rhyme/More Lyrical. Mimics a Nursery Rhyme.
“Toussaint L’Ouverture.” What does this show?
He would rather’ve Learned about him.
“Toussaint a Slave.” What does this show?
No Punctuation, all Italics. Missing out Unnecessary Words ro make it Sound like a Chart. An Irregular Rhythm that creates a Drumbeat which Reflects Caribbean Music.
“De Cow who Jump over De Moon.” What does this show?
Juxtaposes a Myth over Reality. They have the same Relevance to the Speaker.
“Hopeful Stream to Freedom River.” What does this show?
Natural Imagery suggests Power of the Figure and the Different ways we look at Figures.
“Columbus and 1492.” What does this show?
Contrast Famous White Ethnic Figures with Ethnic Minority Contemporaries.
“Uses to Camp.” What does this show?
Inaccurate Terms being used in Order to Emphasise the Lack of Interest in the History.
“Russian Snow a Healing Star.” What does this show?
Natural Imagery, Metaphors are used to Create an almost Mythological Character.
“Wha Dem want to Tell me.” What does this show?
Repetition of “Dem” also a Monosyllabic.
“I Checking out Me own History.” What does this show?
Pronoun. Conflict between “Dem” and “I”.
“I Carving out me Identity.” What does this show?
Violent Metaphor. Expresses the Resistance and need to Create something which can’t be Removed.
