Checking Out Me History

Question 1

What is the structure of Checking out Me history?

Answer 1

-John Agard
-Colloquial language
-Dual structure, division between stanzas shows the separation between the history he was taught and black history.
-Each Stanza ends with a reference to a black historical figure, which indicates its significance to Agard.

Question 2

What are the themes in checking out me history?

Answer 2

-Identity
-Pride
-Power
-Anger

Question 3

What is an analysis of the quote “Dem tell me/dem tell me wha dem want to tell me”

Answer 3

-‘Dem’ has undertones of disrespect and creates a distance between the speakers and the writers of white history.
-Repetition of ‘dem’ throughout builds up and creates an angry tone, conveys his negative feelings towards those who abuse their authority.

Question 4

What is an analysis of the quote “Bandage up me eye with me own history”

Answer 4

-Metaphor for him not being able to learn about or celebrate his history.
-Connotations of violence or restriction, they show the pain caused by being cut off from his own history.

Question 5

What is an analysis of the quote “But now I checking out me own history/I carving out me identity”

Answer 5

-‘Carving’ has hints of rebellion and shows the need to fight to discover his identity and share it with others.
-‘Identity’ is the final word as if to emphasise its significance to him.