14.1.3

Key Quotes & Comparisons

Test yourself

Key Quotations in Checking Out Me History

Here are key quotations to remember for your exam:

Illustrative background for “Dem tell me…dem tell me wha dem want to tell me”Illustrative background for “Dem tell me…dem tell me wha dem want to tell me” ?? "content

“Dem tell me…dem tell me wha dem want to tell me”

  • Loaded word and repetition.
  • The use of the noun “dem” has undertones of disrespect and creates a distance between the speakers and the writers of white history he condemns.
  • Repetition of “dem” throughout builds up and creates an angry tone, conveying the speaker’s negative feelings towards those with the authority to present a one-sided view of history.
Illustrative background for “Bandage up me eye with me own history..."Illustrative background for “Bandage up me eye with me own history..." ?? "content

“Bandage up me eye with me own history..."

  • “Bandage up me eye with me own history / Blind me to me own identity”.
  • Metaphor.
  • 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.
  • Alliteration.
    • Alliteration of the harsh “b” sound reinforces the idea that the speaker feels this is unpleasant.
Illustrative background for “…Of mountain dream / fire woman struggle..."Illustrative background for “…Of mountain dream / fire woman struggle..." ?? "content

“…Of mountain dream / fire woman struggle..."

  • “…of mountain dream / fire woman struggle / hopeful stream / to freedom river”.
  • Natural imagery.
  • Natural imagery used to describe Nanny de Maroon conveys his deep respect for her.
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“…A healing star / among the wounded / a yellow sunrise”

  • Imagery.
  • Mary Seacole is associated with images of life and hope.
Illustrative background for “But now I checking out me own history..."Illustrative background for “But now I checking out me own history..." ?? "content

“But now I checking out me own history..."

  • “But now I checking out me own history / I carving out me identity”.
  • Loaded verb.
  • The loaded (has an underlying meaning or implication) verb “carving” has hints of rebellion and shows the need to fight to discover his identity and share it with others.
  • “Identity” is the final word in the poem as if to emphasise its significance.

Key Comparisons: Checking out Me History

Here are some themes that come up in Checking Out Me History and other texts:

Illustrative background for Misuse of power/anger at those in powerIllustrative background for Misuse of power/anger at those in power ?? "content

Misuse of power/anger at those in power

  • You may want to compare the theme of the misuse of power or anger at those in power in Checking Out Me History to the following texts:
    • London.
Illustrative background for Power of identityIllustrative background for Power of identity ?? "content

Power of identity

  • You may want to compare the theme of the power of identity in Checking Out Me History to the following texts:
    • The Emigree.
    • Kamikaze.
Illustrative background for Negative feelingsIllustrative background for Negative feelings ?? "content

Negative feelings

  • You may want to compare the theme of negative feelings in Checking Out Me History to the following texts:
    • War Photographer.
    • My Last Duchess.
    • London.
    • Exposure.

Jump to other topics

1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

2London - William Blake (1757-1827)

3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)

5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)

6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson

9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)

10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)

11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)

12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)

13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)

14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)

15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)

16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

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