14.1.2

Themes

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Respect for Influential Figures

Agard emphasises his pride for his heritage and his admiration for the Caribbean figures he describes. He uses the following techniques to do so:

Italics

Italics

  • Agard's use of italics for the description of influential black figures gives them authority and dignity.
  • It marks his respect for them.
Natural imagery

Natural imagery

  • Natural imagery is used to describe Nanny de Maroon – “of mountain dream / fire woman struggle / hopeful stream / to freedom river”.
Light and hope imagery

Light and hope imagery

  • Toussaint L’Ouveture is described as a “beacon”, which is also an image of light, hope and strength.
  • Mary Seacole is likewise associated with images of life and hope.
    • “A healing star / among the wounded / a yellow sunrise”.
    • This image has connotations of bravery and presents her as almost angelic and magical.

Anger and Disrespect

Agard emphasises his anger and frustration at the British’s curriculum’s narrow definition of history. He uses these techniques to emphasise his anger:

Loaded phrases

Loaded phrases

  • When phrases are loaded, they have underlying meanings and implications.
  • The use of the noun “dem” has undertones of disrespect. It creates a distance between the speaker and the writers of white history he condemns.
  • This idea is reinforced with the phrase “and all dat”. It suggests that the speaker feels that elements of European history are trivial and irrelevant to him.
Metaphor

Metaphor

  • “Bandage up me eye with me own history / Blind me to me own identity”.
  • This is a metaphor for him not being able to learn about or celebrate his history.
  • The verbs “bandage” and “blind” have connotations of violence and restriction. They convey the pain caused by being cut off from his history.
  • The alliteration of harsh “b” sound reinforces the idea that the speaker feels this is unpleasant.
Repetition

Repetition

  • Repetition of “dem” throughout builds up and creates an angry tone.
  • It conveys the speaker’s negative feelings towards those with the authority to present a one-sided view of history.

Rebellion and Identity

Agard emphasises his pride in his identity and heritage throughout the poem. There are also hints of rebellion against authority and challenging accepted norms of society. Agard uses these techniques to explore these ideas:

Phonetic spelling

Phonetic spelling

  • The poet's use of phonetic spelling (spelling words like they sound) creates a more authentic voice.
  • It suggests that the speaker refuses to give up a key part of his identity and pride in his heritage.
Loaded words

Loaded words

  • “Carving out me identity”.
  • The loaded (has an underlying meaning or implication) verb “carving” has hints of rebellion. It shows the poet's need to fight to discover his identity and share it with others.
Position of words

Position of words

  • “Identity” is the final word of the poem.
  • This emphasises its significance.
Jump to other topics
1

Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

1.1

Ozymandias Analysis

1.1.1Summary1.1.2Key Ideas1.1.3Themes1.1.4Irony & Rhythm1.1.5Key Quotes & Comparisons1.1.6End of Topic Test - Ozymandias1.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Defining Caesura1.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Identifying Caesura1.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Analysing Caesura
2

London - William Blake (1757-1827)

2.1

London Analysis

2.1.1Summary2.1.2Themes & Structure2.1.3Themes & Structure 22.1.4Key Quotes & Comparisons2.1.5Exam-Style Questions - London2.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Defining Repetition2.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Identifying Repetition2.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Analysing Repetition
3

Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

3.1

Storm on the Island Analysis

3.1.1Summary & Structure3.1.2Themes3.1.3Themes 23.1.4Key Quotes & Comparisons3.1.5End of Topic Test - Blake & Heaney3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Fear
4

Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)

4.1

Exposure Analysis

4.1.1Summary4.1.2Personification4.1.3Themes4.1.4Structure, Key Quotes & Comparisons4.1.5End of Topic Test - Exposure4.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Define Personification4.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ident. Personification
5

War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)

5.1

War Photographer Analysis

5.1.1Summary5.1.2Themes5.1.3Imagery5.1.4Comparisons & Key Quotes5.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Defining Similes5.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Identifying Similes
6

My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

6.1

My Last Duchess Analysis

6.1.1Summary6.1.2Characterisation & Themes6.1.3Structure, Key Quotes & Comparisons6.1.4End of Topic Test - Duffy & Browning6.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cheating Wife
7

The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

7.1

Extract from The Prelude Analysis

7.1.1Summary7.1.2Personification & Imagery7.1.3Themes7.1.4Key Quotes & Comparisons7.1.5End of Topic Test - The Prelude7.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - "Her"
8

Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson

8.1

Charge of the Light Brigade Analysis

8.1.1Summary8.1.2Themes8.1.3Rhetorical Techniques, Key Quotes & Comparisons8.1.4End of Topic Test - Charge of the Light Brigade8.1.5Exam-Style Questions - Charge of the Light Brigade8.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Tennyson a Soldier?
9

Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)

9.1

Bayonet Charge Analysis

9.1.1Summary9.1.2Themes9.1.3Themes 29.1.4Structure & Key Comparisons9.1.5End of Topic Test - Bayonet Charge9.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - NOT COTLB9.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Soldier Running Away
10

Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)

10.1

Poppies Analysis

10.1.1Summary10.1.2Theme of Motherhood10.1.3Imagery10.1.4Form, Structure & Key Comparisons10.1.5End of Topic Test - Poppies10.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Defining Enjambment
11

Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)

11.1

Tissue Analysis

11.1.1Summary11.1.2Themes & Symbolism11.1.3Religion & Conflict11.1.4Form, Structure & Key Comparisons11.1.5End of Topic Test - Tissue
12

The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)

12.1

The Emigree Analysis

12.1.1Summary & Structure12.1.2Themes12.1.3Key Quotes & Comparisons12.1.4End of Topic Test - The Emigree12.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Emigrant vs Immigrant
13

Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)

13.1

Kamikaze Analysis

13.1.1Summary & Structure13.1.2Themes13.1.3Themes 213.1.4Structure, Quotes & Comparisons13.1.5End of Topic Test - Kamikaze13.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Defining NP13.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Identifying NP
14

Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)

14.1

Checking Out Me History Analysis

14.1.1Summary14.1.2Themes14.1.3Key Quotes & Comparisons14.1.4End of Topic Test - Checking Out Me History
15

Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)

15.1

Remains Analysis

15.1.1Summary15.1.2Themes: Desensitisation &Trauma15.1.3Themes: Guilt15.1.4Themes: Nature of War15.1.5Structure15.1.6Key Quotes & Comparisons15.1.7End of Topic Test - Remains15.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Casual Tone
16

Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

16.1

Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

16.1.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
17

Recap: Main Quotes

17.1

Recap: Main Quotes

17.1.1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)17.1.2London - William Blake (1757-1827)17.1.3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)17.1.4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)17.1.5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)17.1.6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)17.1.7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)17.1.8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson17.1.9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)17.1.10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)17.1.11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)17.1.12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)17.1.13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)17.1.14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)17.1.15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)

Practice questions on Themes

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    How does Agard show his respect for historical figures like Mary Seacole and Nanny de Maroon?True / false
  2. 2
    Complete the quotes to describe influential black figures in Checking Out Me History:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    What kinds of imagery does Agard use to show his respect for black figures from history?True / false
  4. 4
    What's significant about the word "dem" in Checking Out Me History?True / false
  5. 5
    Techiques Agard uses to show his anger and frustration at the British curriculum:Fill in the list
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Summary

Key Quotes & Comparisons