Structure

• Dual structure 


  The division between the stanzas through Agard‘s use of italics

  • shows the separation between the history he was taught and black history
• “Dem tell me”

  • Repetition
  • mirrors rote learning and could be inferred that Agard had to rote learn the history he was taught- due to its lack of personal relevance to him.
  • creates an accusatory tone, his anger towards colonialism- he wants his message to be heard
  • each stanza begins that way- colonial control has dominated his life
• “Balloon” “moon” “spoon” “maroon”

  • Assonance helps to slow down the once creating a monotonous tone- showing his lack of interest. —Repetition makes the next line predictable perhaps implying the boring nature of the history he was taught
  • child-like imagery: trivialises the importance of the history
  • -shows he has been taught this as a child so is ingrained in his mind.
• Stanza organisation

  • Each stanza ends with a reference to a black historical figure which shows their significance to agard
  • Black history is given separated, dedicated stanzas, symbolising it is finally receiving the respect and significance it deserves
  • The rich imagery in these stanzas juxtaposes with the childish lexis in the other stanzas- portraying the beauty and complexity of black history.
• Volta: the ending

  • “But now” marks a turning point in the poem as the speaker switches from referring to “dem” to “I”- he is taking ownership of his own identity and making the poem about himself rather than ”dem”