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.