14.1.3
Key Quotes & Comparisons
Key Quotations in Checking Out Me History
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
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.
1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
2London - William Blake (1757-1827)
3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
3.1Storm on the Island Analysis
4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)
5.1War Photographer Analysis
6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
7.1Extract from The Prelude Analysis
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)
14.1Checking Out Me History Analysis
15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)
16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
Jump to other topics
1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
2London - William Blake (1757-1827)
3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
3.1Storm on the Island Analysis
4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)
5.1War Photographer Analysis
6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
7.1Extract from The Prelude Analysis
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)
14.1Checking Out Me History Analysis
15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)
16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
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