Half-caste (1996) (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Flashcards
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John Agard's heritage
John Agard's heritage
British poet of Guyanese heritage
Year 'Half-Caste' published
Year 'Half-Caste' published
1996
What 'half-caste' implies according to Agard
What 'half-caste' implies according to Agard
Incompleteness or inferiority
Techniques Agard uses in 'Half-Caste'
Techniques Agard uses in 'Half-Caste'
Humour, irony, and cultural references
Purpose of Picasso allusion in poem
Purpose of Picasso allusion in poem
Shows mixing is richness, not deficiency
Piano metaphor (black/white keys) symbolises
Piano metaphor (black/white keys) symbolises
Harmony through diversity
Effect of 'half of mih ear' line
Effect of 'half of mih ear' line
Exposes absurdity and dehumanisation of label
Purpose of imperative 'come back tomorrow'
Purpose of imperative 'come back tomorrow'
Calls for open-mindedness
Significance of free verse form
Significance of free verse form
Mirrors rejection of rigid societal labels
Purpose of Caribbean dialect use
Purpose of Caribbean dialect use
Makes political statement about cultural acceptance
'Explain yuself' repetition creates
'Explain yuself' repetition creates
Confrontational tone, persistent questioning
Conversational tone in poem creates
Conversational tone in poem creates
Intimacy and engages reader in dialogue
Theme: Challenging Prejudice shows
Theme: Challenging Prejudice shows
Illogical and offensive nature of labels
Theme: Cultural Identity celebrates
Theme: Cultural Identity celebrates
Diversity as source of creativity and richness
Examples of imagery in poem
Examples of imagery in poem
'half-caste canvas' and 'half-a-shadow'