Topic Summaries

• Poet: John Agard (1949–)
• Year: 2004
• Form: Free verse
• Key techniques: Interpolation, allusions, juxtaposition

About the poet

John Agard is a renowned poet and author whose work reflects his Guyanese heritage and experiences living in Britain as of 1977. He gained recognition for his unique writing style, which blends Caribbean rhythms with sharp social commentary. His writing typically examines themes of identity, race, migration, marginalisation, and power.

Historical context

This poem critiques the Eurocentric focus of the British education system. Agard, who was born in Guyana, a nation that was under British colonial rule until 1966, meaning history lessons often prioritised European figures while ignoring key Black and Caribbean historical figures due to systemic bias. His poem reflects this frustration, highlighting important figures like Toussaint L’Ouverture and Mary Seacole left out of mainstream narratives.

Literary context

This poem belongs to the tradition of postcolonial literature which challenges Eurocentric narratives and gives voice to historically marginalised communities. Agard draws on British cultural touchstones as well as the oral storytelling traditions of the Caribbean, using rhythm, repetition, and phonetic Creole spelling to reflect Agard’s Guyanese heritage.

Key ideas

• Power governs perspective
• Experiences of the powerless
• Reclaiming power
• Subjectivity and bias
• Empowerment through language