Checking out me history Flashcards
(6 cards)
What is the context for checking out me history?
John Agard is a British-Guyanese poet who often explores themes of identity, race, and cultural heritage.
The poem was written to highlight how history taught in schools often focuses on white European figures while ignoring important Black and Caribbean heroes.
Agard uses Caribbean Creole language to assert his own cultural identity and challenge the dominance of standard English and Eurocentric history.
The poem is part of a larger movement to decolonize history and give voice to marginalized groups.
It reflects wider issues of racial inequality and the importance of knowing and celebrating diverse histories to build a true sense of self.
What language and structure is used
- Italics are used to separate distinct stanza’s,
- Creole language is used and emphatic repetition for an agressive tone
“___ tell me, ___ tell me”
The repetition emphasizes frustration and suspicion toward the information given by those in control.
The use of Creole (“dem,” “wha”) reflects the speaker’s cultural identity and rejects the imposed standard language, reinforcing the theme of reclaiming voice.
This shows how history is selectively presented, highlighting the power imbalance in who tells stories.
“I _______ out me identity”
Carving
The verb “carving” suggests a deliberate, physical, and creative act of shaping identity.
It shows empowerment, as the speaker takes control to define who he is despite obstacles.
The image suggests struggle and effort but also determination and resilience.
“_______ up me eye with me own history / ______ me to me own identity”
“Bandage up me eye with me own history / Blind me to me own identity”
The metaphor of “bandage” and “blind” illustrates how the speaker’s understanding of himself is restricted and hurt by a lack of truthful history.
It conveys a sense of oppression—the enforced ignorance prevents the speaker from seeing his full self.
This powerful image captures the emotional impact of historical erasure.
What are some structural methods
The rhythmic shifts—from staccato repetition to more flowing descriptions—mirror the shift from oppression to liberation.
The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. This mirrors the speaker’s rejection of rigid, imposed history and reflects his personal, rebellious voice.
