Question 1: What is the main message the poet is trying to convey in this extract?

Answer: The importance of reclaiming and understanding one's own history.

Question 2: Identify two literary techniques used in the poem and explain their effect.

Answer: Repetition emphasizes frustration and the critique of historical misrepresentation; dialect makes the speaker's voice personal and direct.

Question 3: How does the poet's use of dialect influence your understanding of the speaker’s perspective?

Answer: It makes the voice more personal and authentic, emphasizing the cultural identity of the speaker.

Question 4: What does the phrase 'Bandage up me eye with me own history' symbolize?

Answer: It symbolizes how the speaker's view of his own history has been obscured or distorted by others.

Question 5: Identify one example of a metaphor in the extract and explain its meaning.

Answer: 'Bandage up me eye' is a metaphor for being blinded by a distorted view of history, preventing understanding of one's true identity.

Question 6: Describe how the poem's structure and repetition reinforce its message.

Answer: The repetition of phrases like 'Dem tell me' and 'Bandage up me eye' emphasizes the ongoing frustration and highlights the central message of reclaiming history. It creates a rhythmic, chant-like quality that underscores the speaker's determination to see his own history clearly.

Question 7: In your own words, explain why the poet questions the way history has been told.

Answer: The poet questions the history because it seems to overlook or misrepresent his culture and heroes, leading to a distorted understanding of identity.

Question 8: Write a brief reflection: How might this poem inspire someone to learn more about their own history?

Answer: It encourages individuals to explore and take pride in their own cultural heritage, learning the true stories of their ancestors.