Checking out me History by John Agard

• What imagery is used in the poem regarding bias history?

  Imagery of fire and light
• What does the phrase "Fire woman yellow sunrise" signify in the poem?

  It represents the speaker's powerful identity and heritage
• How does the poet represent his accent in the poem?

  By using phonetic spelling like "Dem neu nah dem seu"
• What does the metaphor "carving out me own identity" represent?

  It symbolizes the struggle to be heard and to find one's identity
• What is the form and structure of the poem?

  • Dramatic monologue with dual structure
  • Stanzas on Eurocentric history (normal font) interspersed with Black history (italics)
  • Black history sections arranged as nursery lessons
  • Lack of punctuation and free verse
  • Irregular rhyme scheme and anaphora
• What does the interspersing of Eurocentric and Black history stanzas represent?

  It represents separation and rebellion
• How are the Black history sections arranged in the poem?

  As nursery lessons to be learnt
• What literary techniques are used to show the narrator's rejection of rules?

  Lack of punctuation, free verse, and irregular rhyme scheme
• What phrase is repeated to show the narrator's frustration?

  "dem tell um"
• What tones are present in the poem?

  • Defiant
  • Angry
  • Humorous
  • Cynical
• Where was John Agard born?

  In the Caribbean in Guiana
• When did John Agard move to the UK?

  In the 1960s
• What does John Agard's poetry challenge?

  Racism and prejudice
• What significant event occurred in 2016 related to the poem?

  A statue of Mary Seacole was erected in London
• What are the main themes of the poem?

  • Power
  • Protest
  • Identity
  • Childhood
• How is Black history emphasized in the poem?

  By using italics to stress its importance
• What does the poem represent regarding the speaker's education?

  Frustration with the Eurocentric history curriculum
• What does the separation of Black history in the poem signify?

  Its importance and the need for recognition