Half-caste

Question 1

Half-caste

Answer 1

Derogatory term for someone of mixed race

Question 2

Explain yuself
wha yu mean
when you say half-caste

Answer 2

Direct address interrogates, challenges the use of the racist term.

Repetition symbolises yearning for an answer, and intensity of the persona’s wish to challenge the stereotype

Question 3

picasso … is a half-caste canvas
tchaikovksy … is a half-caste symphony

Answer 3

Masters of their art

Criticises half-caste as a derogatory term by reclaiming it to describe beautiful concepts with visual and auditory imagery

Question 4

england weather
nearly always half-caste

Answer 4

Creates a small satirical interlude of shared humour

Calls out hypocricy of English

Question 5

half-a-hand
half-an-eye
half-a-dream
half-a-shadow

Answer 5

Ridicules the term - satirises the word as ludicrous to even consider, and implores readers to reframe their use of the word as such

Lack of punctuation increases the pace to a rant-like tone.

Half acting as an extended metaphor for the reason why others view him as being inferior

Half a dream - Lack of opportunity
Half an eye - Sleeping with one eye closed -> Caution due to the violence against black people due to stereotypes

Question 6

yu must
de whole

Answer 6

• Imperative implies the reader currently doesn’t have a whole mind

Insinuates that those who use the term and view someone of mixed heritage as inferior isn’t using the whole of their mind

Question 7

an I will

Answer 7

Imperative shows that Agard does want to share his story

Question 8

Enjambment

Answer 8

Increases pace

Question 9

Carribean dialect and phonetic spelling

Answer 9

Creates authentic voice for the reader, highlighting Carribean aspects of heritage