How does John Agard feel about the term half-caste?

The words: ‘I half-caste human being’ show that he is insulted by the term ‘half-caste’. His tone is challenging, even threatening (e.g: ‘Explain yuself wha yu mean when yu say half-caste’) as he asserts his identity as a whole human being and demands that readers change their attitudes.

How does Agard present ideas about identity in half-caste?

The speaker opens the poem by taking the term “half-caste” literally, joking that being half-caste means the speaker is stuck “standing on one leg.” The imagery suggests a person who is lacking in some way—incomplete—and thus underscores the racist thinking behind the term “half-caste.” This idea of only being half a …

What is John Agard’s message in checking out me history ‘?

The poem suggests the colonial syllabus deliberately blinded colonized people to their own histories, and argues that only by re-learning their history can these people can fully understand and embrace their identities. Get the entire guide to “Checking Out Me History” as a printable PDF.

What is the message of the poem half-caste?

Half-Caste and other poems (2005) The collection explores multiple race issues faced by black and mixed race people living in the United Kingdom. The poem is a reflection of the feelings evoked in Agard as a result of being labelled ​“half-caste”​ upon moving to the UK.

What inspired John Agard to half-caste?

Agard was born in what is now Guyana in 1949; he is of Afro-Guyanese descent, and his mixed-race upbringing is probably his inspiration for writing this poem.

What is the tone of the poem half-caste?

The poem is like a challenge addressed to someone who holds prejudiced views. Agard repeatedly tells the person to ‘explain yuself’, and asks them ‘what yu mean’ when they use the term ‘half-caste’. The tone is confrontational, angry.

How does the poet present power in Checking Out Me History?

Contrasts the start of the poem. The active verb ‘carving’ contrasts the passive verb of being ‘blinded’, he is making an effort to learn about his own culture and develop his sense of being and identity. Checking Out Me History is about the abuse of human power and also the human power to bring about change.

How does the poem Checking Out Me History show power?

Both London and Checking Out Me History are poems that express the poets anger towards the misuse of power by those with authority, but the main difference is that while Agard shows a solution, Blake does not, showing how they have different viewpoints on if it is possible to change.

What is the significance of the title half-caste?

Half-caste is a term used for individuals of multiracial descent. It is derived from the term caste, which comes from the Latin castus, meaning pure, and the derivative Portuguese and Spanish word casta, meaning race.

Why does Agard use dialect in his poem?

John Agard often chooses dialect and dialectical spelling to reflect his accent when he’s making a point about himself. I find his dialect poems the most personal of all. It’s like we see the real him. It’s a choice he’s made that felt right for this poem, the content of this poem.

What poems compare to Checking Out Me History?

Both ‘Checking Out Me History’ and ‘London’ are poems that express the poet’s anger towards the misuse of power by those with authority, but the main difference is that while Agard presents a solution, Blake does not, showing how they have different viewpoints on the possibility of change.

How does the poem Checking Out Me History link to conflict?

How is conflict over identity presented in Checking Out Me History and one other poem from The Anthology? Both poems ‘The Emigree’ and ‘Checking Out Me History’ explore a feeling of conflict over the persona’s own individual identity as a result of displacement and historical inaccuracy.

How does Agard explore identity?

Be able to identify techniques and explore the effect on the reader. Agard uses a dialect (Creole) in this poem shown by the phonetic spelling, making clear that language is part of identity his linguistic heritage.

Why is it important that Agard is finding out about his history?

Agard was born in Guyana and received a British education due to the country being colonised up until 1966. He was therefore given a eurocentric view of history whilst being denied his own cultural identity.

What do you mean half-caste?

What is the tone of the poem half caste?

What is the significance of the title Half Caste?

What poem can My Last Duchess be compared to?

Compare and contrast the ways that power is depicted in ‘Ozymandias’ and ‘My Last Duchess’ In the poems Ozymandias by Percy Shelley, and My Last Duchess by Robert Browning, power is depicted as unstable and easily lost, creating a tone of mockery.

What poem can Checking Out Me History be compared to?

Both poems ‘The Emigree’ and ‘Checking Out Me History’ explore a feeling of conflict over the persona’s own individual identity as a result of displacement and historical inaccuracy.

Who wrote the poem half-caste?

John AgardHalf Caste / Author