Both London and Checking Out Me History are poems that express the poets anger towards the misuse of power by those with authority, but the main difference is that while Agard shows a solution, Blake does not, showing how they have different viewpoints on if it is possible to change.
How is identity presented in The Emigree and checking out me history?
Throughout the poem, the conflict of identity is shown as Agard alternates between the celebratory, italicised stanzas (outlining the accomplishments of overlooked heroes) and the other stanzas which present his anger and frustration about what “dem tell me” in school.
How is power presented in London and My Last Duchess?
However, Blake presents power through the government’s manipulation of the capital city and the extent of their control whereas in ‘My Last Duchess’, Browning presents power through the character of the Duke who is discussing his former wife.
How is power presented in London and Ozymandias?
In both of the poems Ozymandius and London both poems present power but in opposite ways. In Ozymandius they show that time/nature destroys everything while in London they show that the rich are controlling everything including the poor and even nature.
What poems link with checking out me history?
For this activity, you will need to turn to the poem ‘Checking Out Me History’ by John Agard and ‘London’ by William Blake. Both poems can be found in the Power and Conflict section of your anthology.
What is checking out me history structure?
Structure summary:
Checking Out Me History is a poem of two sides. Agard’s Checking Out Me History poem uses stanzas and font styles to portray different things. Sections written in regular font refer mostly to British Colonial education. The poem rejects European syntax and English pronunciation.
How does Ozymandias link to checking out me history?
In Checking Out Me History (COMH) John Agard argues that black history is largely missing from British cultural life, and should be preserved. Whereas in Ozymandias Percy Shelley argues that nothing will ever really stand the test of time as in the end even the greatest achievements turn to dust.
How does Agard present power in checking out me history?
How does Agard present his ideas in ‘Checking out me history’? Be able to identify techniques and explore the effect on the reader. Agard uses a dialect (Creole) in this poem shown by the phonetic spelling, making clear that language is part of identity his linguistic heritage.
How is power presented in The Emigree?
Despite this, nothing shakes the light-filled impression of a perfect place that the émigrée’s childhood memories have left. This shows the power that places can have, even over people who have left them long ago and who have never revisited since.
How does London show the power of a place?
Meanwhile, in London, there is the power of the place to oppress them, and causes them suffering and internalised oppression [“mind forged manacles”]. Both poets explore places which cause suffering.
How does the poet present ideas about power in London?
Blake wrote the poem ‘London’ as a first-person narrative that delves deep into the melancholy aspects of pain and woe that plagued the city at the time. Through the use of language, narrative, metaphors and rhyme schemes, Blake presents and extreme abuse of power that enslaves London’s society.
How is the theme of power presented in My Last Duchess?
“My Last Duchess” is all about power: the political and social power wielded by the speaker (the Duke) and his attempt to control the domestic sphere (his marriage) in the same way that he rules his lands. He rules with an iron fist.
What power and conflict is shown in London?
Blake wrote London as a pessimistic poem reflecting his horror at the living conditions of ordinary people in the capital. He reflects on how the powerful institutions – the monarchy, aristocracy and church – have done nothing to alleviate the poverty and poor conditions.
How is the theme of power presented in Ozymandias?
Power is presented in Ozymandias by a king’s statue. The statue says a lot about Rameses II the king, his attitude, and how he ruled. Firstly, the phrase “vast and trunkless” suggests the statue was large but “trunkless” meaning that it’s without a body.
How does Ozymandias show abuse of power?
The poem reflects on abuse of power, but by dwelling on the transience of mortal existence shows that even powerful dictators must fall. Although the dictator’s power seemed ‘vast’ at the time, he (Ozymandias), was unable to achieve ultimate power, immortality. As a result his domination was incomplete and ‘trunkless’.
What poems can London be compared to?
Ozymandias by Blake and London by Shelley are both poems which reveal the corrupting influence of power.
What is the historical context of the poem?
the historical period in which that poem was written. the place or event that gave rise to the poem. the ways in which the language used in the poem reflects the period in which it was written. the particular culture within which the poem was written.
Why are the historical figures in checking out me history associated with light?
Agard refers to Toussaint L’ouverture as ”de beacon to de Haitian revolution”, Nanny de Maroon as “fire-woman” and Mary Seacole as “a healing star” and “a yellow sunrise”. It can be inferred that the speaker associates these figures with light due to their emotional significance to him.
What is the structure of London by William Blake?
What is the London Poem Structure? London is divided into four stanzas (known as quatrains) with an ABAB rhyming scheme. This gives it a very simple rhythm, which reflects its place as a song in Blake’s collection.
How does Duffy powerfully convey the effect that war has on the photographer?
Our increasing indifference to the victims of conflict
Throughout the poem, Duffy conveys the increasing separateness and isolation the photographer feels both towards his own country and the newspaper he works for.
What is the theme of checking out me history?
“Checking Out Me History” was written by the British Guyanese poet John Agard and first published in 2005, in the collection Half-Caste. The poem focuses on the holes in the British colonial education system—particularly that system’s omission of important figures from African, Caribbean, and indigenous history.