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2,455
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24 Dec 2025
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Overall Summary
This document compares and analyzes two poems: "Checking... Show more
Page 2: Continued Analysis and Themes
This page continues the in-depth analysis of "Checking Out Me History" and "The Emigree", focusing on the themes of identity, resistance, and the lasting impact of cultural heritage.
The document expands on the metaphor of sickness in "The Emigree", explaining how it personifies the country as being ill due to tyrannical rule. This imagery suggests that despite the negative aspects, the speaker still feels a strong connection to their homeland.
In "Checking Out Me History", the phrase "Bandage up me eye" is interpreted as a metaphor for the deliberate obscuring of certain historical truths. This imagery powerfully conveys the idea of forced ignorance imposed by the colonial education system.
Example: The use of "bandage" in COMH can be seen as a dual metaphor - it both obscures vision (hiding history) and suggests healing (uncovering and learning about one's true heritage).
The analysis then delves into how both poems present the concept of identity:
Highlight: Both poems explore identity as something that can be suppressed or denied by external forces, but also as something that can be reclaimed and celebrated.
In "The Emigree", the speaker's identity is tied to memories of their homeland, which persist despite the passage of time and the potential inaccuracy of childhood recollections. The poem suggests that these memories form a crucial part of the speaker's sense of self, even in the face of discrimination in their new country.
"Checking Out Me History" presents identity as something that has been actively denied to the speaker through an incomplete education. The poem becomes an act of reclamation, with the speaker asserting their right to learn about their own cultural heritage.
Definition: Cultural heritage - The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.
The document concludes by emphasizing how both poems, despite their different contexts, share themes of resistance against oppression and the enduring power of cultural identity. They demonstrate how personal narratives can be shaped by larger historical and social forces, but also how individuals can push back against these forces to define themselves.
Quote: "I have no passport, there's no way back at all" (The Emigree) vs "I carving out me identity" (COMH)
These lines encapsulate the central struggles in each poem - the irreversible nature of exile in "The Emigree" and the active process of identity formation in "Checking Out Me History".
Page 1: Comparing "Checking Out Me History" and "The Emigree"
This page provides a comprehensive comparison between John Agard's "Checking Out Me History" (COMH) and Carol Rumens' "The Emigree". The analysis delves into the themes, context, structure, and significant quotes from both poems.
In COMH, the speaker reflects on the historical figures taught in his childhood education, contrasting them with black historical figures omitted from the curriculum. The poem critiques the British colonial education system and its neglect of black history. The Emigree, on the other hand, portrays a speaker who fled their country as a child, reminiscing about positive aspects of their homeland while facing discrimination in their new country.
The context section reveals that Agard's poem was inspired by his experience of receiving a Eurocentric education in colonized Guyana, while Rumens' work often explores foreign cultures and customs. Both poems are designed to be universal, allowing readers from various backgrounds to relate to the themes.
Structurally, both poems employ repetition. COMH repeats "Dem tell me" to create an oppressive tone or emphasize the speaker's desire to be heard. The Emigree uses "they" repetitively to create an accusatory tone, reflecting the hostility faced in the new country.
Highlight: The structural choices in both poems reflect their themes. COMH uses italics to separate European and black history, mirroring the educational divide, while The Emigree's free verse structure may represent the chaos of displacement or newfound freedom.
The analysis of quotes reveals how both poems create a sense of isolation:
Quote: "They accuse me of being dark" (The Emigree) vs "Dem tell me" (COMH)
These lines demonstrate the speakers' feelings of not belonging and resistance to societal norms. The document also compares quotes alluding to physical pain:
Quote: "It may be sick with tyrants" (The Emigree) vs "Bandage up me eye" (COMH)
These metaphors emphasize the profound impact of identity and cultural heritage on the speakers' lives.
Vocabulary: Eurocentric - Focusing on European culture or history to the exclusion of a wider view of the world.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Overall Summary
This document compares and analyzes two poems: "Checking Out Me History" by John Agard and "The Emigree" by Carol Rumens. It explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the impact of colonialism and displacement on personal narratives.
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Page 2: Continued Analysis and Themes
This page continues the in-depth analysis of "Checking Out Me History" and "The Emigree", focusing on the themes of identity, resistance, and the lasting impact of cultural heritage.
The document expands on the metaphor of sickness in "The Emigree", explaining how it personifies the country as being ill due to tyrannical rule. This imagery suggests that despite the negative aspects, the speaker still feels a strong connection to their homeland.
In "Checking Out Me History", the phrase "Bandage up me eye" is interpreted as a metaphor for the deliberate obscuring of certain historical truths. This imagery powerfully conveys the idea of forced ignorance imposed by the colonial education system.
Example: The use of "bandage" in COMH can be seen as a dual metaphor - it both obscures vision (hiding history) and suggests healing (uncovering and learning about one's true heritage).
The analysis then delves into how both poems present the concept of identity:
Highlight: Both poems explore identity as something that can be suppressed or denied by external forces, but also as something that can be reclaimed and celebrated.
In "The Emigree", the speaker's identity is tied to memories of their homeland, which persist despite the passage of time and the potential inaccuracy of childhood recollections. The poem suggests that these memories form a crucial part of the speaker's sense of self, even in the face of discrimination in their new country.
"Checking Out Me History" presents identity as something that has been actively denied to the speaker through an incomplete education. The poem becomes an act of reclamation, with the speaker asserting their right to learn about their own cultural heritage.
Definition: Cultural heritage - The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.
The document concludes by emphasizing how both poems, despite their different contexts, share themes of resistance against oppression and the enduring power of cultural identity. They demonstrate how personal narratives can be shaped by larger historical and social forces, but also how individuals can push back against these forces to define themselves.
Quote: "I have no passport, there's no way back at all" (The Emigree) vs "I carving out me identity" (COMH)
These lines encapsulate the central struggles in each poem - the irreversible nature of exile in "The Emigree" and the active process of identity formation in "Checking Out Me History".
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 1: Comparing "Checking Out Me History" and "The Emigree"
This page provides a comprehensive comparison between John Agard's "Checking Out Me History" (COMH) and Carol Rumens' "The Emigree". The analysis delves into the themes, context, structure, and significant quotes from both poems.
In COMH, the speaker reflects on the historical figures taught in his childhood education, contrasting them with black historical figures omitted from the curriculum. The poem critiques the British colonial education system and its neglect of black history. The Emigree, on the other hand, portrays a speaker who fled their country as a child, reminiscing about positive aspects of their homeland while facing discrimination in their new country.
The context section reveals that Agard's poem was inspired by his experience of receiving a Eurocentric education in colonized Guyana, while Rumens' work often explores foreign cultures and customs. Both poems are designed to be universal, allowing readers from various backgrounds to relate to the themes.
Structurally, both poems employ repetition. COMH repeats "Dem tell me" to create an oppressive tone or emphasize the speaker's desire to be heard. The Emigree uses "they" repetitively to create an accusatory tone, reflecting the hostility faced in the new country.
Highlight: The structural choices in both poems reflect their themes. COMH uses italics to separate European and black history, mirroring the educational divide, while The Emigree's free verse structure may represent the chaos of displacement or newfound freedom.
The analysis of quotes reveals how both poems create a sense of isolation:
Quote: "They accuse me of being dark" (The Emigree) vs "Dem tell me" (COMH)
These lines demonstrate the speakers' feelings of not belonging and resistance to societal norms. The document also compares quotes alluding to physical pain:
Quote: "It may be sick with tyrants" (The Emigree) vs "Bandage up me eye" (COMH)
These metaphors emphasize the profound impact of identity and cultural heritage on the speakers' lives.
Vocabulary: Eurocentric - Focusing on European culture or history to the exclusion of a wider view of the world.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
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