Checking Out Me History

"Checking Out Me History" by John Agard

Context

John Agard is a contemporary poet of Afro-Guyanese descent who often addresses themes of identity, race, and history. "Checking Out Me History" critiques the Eurocentric perspective of history taught in schools and highlights the importance of knowing and reclaiming one's cultural heritage. The poem explores how historical narratives shape personal identity and calls for a more inclusive recounting of history.

The Poem

Dem tell me

← Repetition

Dem tell me

Wha dem want to tell me

Bandage up me eye with me own history

← Metaphor

Blind me to me own identity

Dem tell me bout 1066 and all dat

← Juxtaposition

dem tell me bout Dick Whittington and he cat

But Toussaint L'Ouverture

no dem never tell me bout dat

Toussaint

a slave

with vision

lick back

Napoleon

battalion

and first Black

Republic born

Toussaint de thorn

to de French

Toussaint de beacon

of de Haitian Revolution

Dem tell me bout de man who discover de balloon

and de cow who jump over de moon

Dem tell me bout de dish ran away with de spoon

but dem never tell me bout Nanny de maroon

Nanny

see-far woman

of mountain dream

fire-woman struggle

hopeful stream

to freedom river

Dem tell me bout Lord Nelson and Waterloo

but dem never tell me bout Shaka de great Zulu

Dem tell me bout Columbus and 1492

but what happen to de Caribs and de Arawaks too

Dem tell me bout Florence Nightingale and she lamp

and how Robin Hood used to camp

Dem tell me bout ole King Cole was a merry ole soul

but dem never tell me bout Mary Seacole

From Jamaica

she travel far

to the Crimean War

she volunteer to go

and even when de British said no

she still brave the Russian snow

a healing star

← Imagery

among the wounded

a yellow sunrise

to the dying

Dem tell me

Dem tell me wha dem want to tell me

But now I checking out me own history

I carving out me identity

← Symbolism

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Metaphor: "Bandage up me eye with me own history"

• Analysis: This metaphor suggests that the speaker's true history has been hidden or obscured by a biased education. The "bandage" implies a deliberate act to prevent the speaker from seeing and understanding his own cultural heritage, leading to a loss of identity.

2. Repetition: "Dem tell me"

• Analysis: The repetition of "Dem tell me" emphasises the imposition of a single narrative by those in power. It reflects the frustration of the speaker with the one-sided and incomplete version of history he has been taught.

3. Juxtaposition: "Dem tell me bout 1066 and all dat / dem tell me bout Dick Whittington and he cat / But Toussaint L'Ouverture / no dem never tell me bout dat"

• Analysis: The juxtaposition of trivial and well-known British historical events with significant but overlooked figures like Toussaint L'Ouverture highlights the disparity in historical education. It underscores the exclusion of important Black historical figures from mainstream narratives.

4. Imagery: "a healing star / among the wounded / a yellow sunrise / to the dying"

• Analysis: This vivid imagery describes Mary Seacole's role during the Crimean War. It portrays her as a beacon of hope and compassion, contrasting with the lack of recognition she received compared to other historical figures like Florence Nightingale.

5. Symbolism: "I carving out me identity"

• Analysis: The act of "carving out" symbolises the speaker's active effort to reclaim and shape his own identity through learning and acknowledging his true history. It signifies empowerment and self-discovery.

Form & Structure Points

• Free Verse and Dialect: The poem's free verse and use of Caribbean dialect reflect the speaker's cultural identity and reject conventional forms, emphasising the authenticity of his voice.
• Enjambment: The use of enjambment mirrors the continuous and unrestrained flow of the speaker's thoughts, reflecting his ongoing process of self-discovery.
• Contrast: The poem contrasts well-known Eurocentric historical figures with important, but lesser-known, figures from Black history, highlighting the need for a more inclusive historical narrative.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Checking Out Me History," Agard explores identity and history through metaphor and juxtaposition. The metaphor "Bandage up me eye with me own history" suggests that the speaker's true history has been hidden, leading to a loss of identity. The repetition of "Dem tell me" emphasises the imposition of a biased narrative by those in power. The juxtaposition in "Dem tell me bout 1066 and all dat / dem tell me bout Dick Whittington and he cat / But Toussaint L'Ouverture / no dem never tell me bout dat" highlights the disparity in historical education. Imagery in "a healing star / among the wounded / a yellow sunrise / to the dying" portrays Mary Seacole as a beacon of hope. Finally, the symbolism in "I carving out me identity" signifies the speaker's empowerment through reclaiming his history. Through these devices, Agard critiques the exclusion of Black historical figures and emphasises the importance of understanding one's true heritage...