checking out me history

Structure

Duel structure

Stanza organisation

Enjabment

Duel structure

The division between stanzas shows the separation between the history we were taught and black history

Stanza organisation

Each stanza ends with a refrences to a black historical figure indicating their significance to Agard

themes

Identity

Pride

Power

Anger

Dem tell me…dem tell me what dem what to tell me

“Dem” undertones of disrespect towards writers of white history

Repetition of “dem” builds up and creates an angry undertone

Bandage up my eye with me own history

Metaphor for him not being able to learn his history

Connotations of violence and restriction to show pain caused by this

But now I checking out me own history.. I carving out me own identity

“Carving” hints at rebellion and shows the need to fight to discover his identity

“Identity” is final word in the poem emphasising its significance