14.1.3

Key Quotes & Comparisons

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Key Quotations in Checking Out Me History

Here are key quotations to remember for your exam:

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

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

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

“…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.
“…A healing star / among the wounded / a yellow sunrise”

“…A healing star / among the wounded / a yellow sunrise”

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

“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:

Misuse of power/anger at those in power

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.
Power of identity

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.
Negative feelings

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
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 Key Quotes & Comparisons

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

  1. 1
    Complete the key quotes from Checking Out Me History:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What techniques are being used in this key quote:<br>_“Dem tell me…dem tell me wha dem want to tell me”_True / false
  3. 3
    On the theme of negative feelings, you could compare _Checking Out Me History_ to:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    The power of identity is explored in _Checking Out Me History_ and:True / false
  5. 5
    You could compare _London_ and _Checking Out Me History_ on the topics of:True / false
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Themes

End of Topic Test - Checking Out Me History