half-caste

• quotes

  • explain yuself/ wha yu mean/ when yu say half-caste- direct challenge, conversational tone
  • mix a black key/ wid a white key/ is a half-caste symphony- metaphor for harmony in diversity
  • i offer you half-a-hand- sarcasm exposing prejudice
• form and structure

  • free verse and phonetic spelling reflect agard's heritage
  • repetition and enjambment create a challenging, conversational tone
• context

  • john agard
  • addresses racism in the uk, celebrating mixed heritage and confronting stereotypes
• attitudes

  • pride, anger, and a call to challenge prejudice
• structure

  • first half- metaphors- compare mixed race
  • second half- exaggeration- ridiculousness of the word "half-caste"
• form

  • no regular rhyme scheme
  • rhymes and half-rhymes
  • used to create rhythm
  • use of enjambment
  • lack of standard punctuation
  • gives a sense of urgency
• compare to no problem