Checking Out Me History
John Agard's 'Checking Out Me History' explores the tension between Eurocentric historical narratives and the untold stories of black Caribbean culture. The poem challenges the colonial education system by juxtaposing traditional British figures with folk heroes, using Creole dialect and phonetic spelling to assert a distinct cultural voice. Its practical application lies in encouraging critical evaluation of perspective, enabling students to analyse how language and structure can resist oppression and reclaim identity.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Analyse Agard's use of phonetic spelling and Creole dialect to convey cultural identity and challenge linguistic norms.
- Evaluate the effects of the poem's irregular structure, enjambment, and italicised quotations on meaning and tone.
- Compare the portrayal of historical figures in 'Checking Out Me History' with another poem from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology.
- Explain how Agard uses juxtaposition to highlight the tension between 'dem tell me' history and his own heritage.
- Assess the significance of the refrain 'Dem tell me' and its impact on the poem's message about indoctrination.
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Award credit for insightful analysis of how non-standard English functions as an assertion of identity and resistance.
- Look for exploration of the distinction between the formal, italicised presentation of Eurocentric history and the informal, oral quality of the Caribbean voices.
- Reward responses that connect specific language choices (e.g. 'Toussaint / a slave / with vision') to the overall theme of restoring dignity to marginalised figures.
- Give marks for effective comparison when students draw parallels or contrasts with other anthology poems, supported by textual evidence.
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Always link your analysis of language and structure directly to Agard's purpose: to challenge historical erasure and celebrate black heritage.
- 💡Use comparative connectives and focus on a clear point of comparison when discussing another poem, such as the misuse of power or the presentation of identity.
- 💡Avoid simply listing techniques; instead, explore the effect of each device on the reader and how it develops the poem's key themes.
- 💡Plan your response to include a brief discussion of context, but integrate it seamlessly with textual analysis rather than adding a separate paragraph.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Treating the phonetic spelling and Creole dialect as mere errors rather than a deliberate stylistic and political choice.
- Overlooking the structural shifts between stanzas and failing to link them to the poem's commentary on fragmented history.
- Ignoring the biographical and historical context of Agard's background and the Windrush generation.
- Describing the historical figures without analysing how Agard presents them, leading to summary rather than literary analysis.
Study Guide Available
Comprehensive revision notes & examples
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Cultural identity and heritage
- Power and bias in education
- Historical erasure and reclamation
- Resistance through language
- Oral tradition and storytelling
- Colonialism and its legacy
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