Analysing the poem ‘Half-caste’ by John Agard
I can explain how Agard uses language and structure to express his viewpoint.
Analysing the poem ‘Half-caste’ by John Agard
I can explain how Agard uses language and structure to express his viewpoint.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The short lines and lack of punctuation make the poem sound conversational in tone.
- The lack of punctuation could create a sense of strong emotion, illustrating Agard's frustration.
- It is written in a mixture of dialects, perhaps reflecting the merging of identities.
- Agard uses direct address to encourage the reader to challenge their prejudices.
- Agard uses a series of comparisons to underline the ridiculousness of these prejudicial thoughts.
Keywords
Interpersonal conflict - disagreement or tension between individuals or groups
Prejudices - unjustified negative opinion towards an individual or group, based on an unfair perception of them
Unconscious - mental processes or actions not actively perceived or controlled by the individual
Facetious - treating serious issues with inappropriate humour, often to entertain or provoke amusement
Dialect - regional or social variety of language with distinct grammar, pronunciation or vocabulary
Common misconception
The poem is solely directed at the silent listener ("yu") who is addressed in the opening of the poem.
It could be argued that this silent listener could symbolise all readers (or listeners) of this poem since the speaker discusses how they will behave when they are "introduced" to the "yu" figure, implying they haven't yet met.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of ‘Half-caste’ by John Agard. This can be found in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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