Checking Out Me History

What is identity?

AO3- context. John Agard was born in Guyana, a Caribbean country in South America, but he moved to Britain in 1977. His poetry often examines cultures and identities.

Poetry themes that are listed in the anthology. Power of humans Power of nature Effects of conflict Reality of conflict Loss and absence Memory Negative emotions- Anger Negative emotions- Guilt Negative emotions- Fear Negative emotions- Pride Identity Individual experiences

Which themes do you think this poem links to and why? Power of humans Power of nature Effects of conflict Reality of conflict Loss and absence Memory Negative emotions- Anger Negative emotions- Guilt Negative emotions- Fear Negative emotions- Pride Identity Individual experiences

AO2- form A mix of stanza forms. This could suggest that he is breaking the confining language rules that he has been taught. Look at the Caribbean history lines and compare them to the British History lines.

AO2- structure The poem alternates between historical and fictional figures from Caribbean and British culture, emphasising the differences between them.

AO2- language Use of metaphors- ‘bandage up me eye’ ‘Blind me…’ ‘de beacon’

AO2- oral poetry Repetition Strong rhythms Chanting Phonetic spellings- ‘dem’ and ‘dat’.

AO1- feelings and attitudes The poet is angry. The poet admires the Caribbean figures and what they have achieved. The poet says that he will celebrate his own identity in a positive way.

Think about the use of language. ‘…all dat…’ The poet dismisses British history and assumes that the reader knows. ‘…de cow who jump over the moon’ The poet uses nursery rhymes as an example of British history. Why?

Why do you think the poet has used male and female figures from history in the poem? What is effect of the words ‘checking’ and craving’ in the final lines? What is the effect of the lack of punctuation in the poem? What natural images does the poet use and why are their important?

Which poems do you think you could compare to ‘Checking Out me history’? The narrator is angry in ‘London’. Can you remember why? Identity is explored in ‘Tissue’. How?