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Reading and comprehension of Texts – Poetry (FC4/3/LN/041)
Task 1 (Assessment Criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9)
* Demonstrate an active and contributory role within the group discussion process to produce a mind-map. Students will focus their group discussions and evidence on what they feel is the meaning of the poem, but also demonstrate their understanding of the tone of the poem, the use of language, the structure of the poem and poetic techniques used. Students must also discuss and evidence their understanding of the social, historical and cultural features which they feel are explicit and implicit within the poem and whether they feel the poem has relevance in today’s society (1.1)
* Analyse the meaning of the poem Half-Caste by John Agard (1.2)
The poem was trying to change the perception and attitude of people who consider mix-race to be inferior. It is trying to say people should not be labelled because of their colour of ethnicity. You being a mix-race should make you proud and people should not look upon you as a half person. The poem is also trying to promote equality in modern society.
Let take in the case of music, playing a single note produces poor sound not until you mix it with different instruments, then you can get a better sound. In arts, using a single paint produces dull image but when you mix it with different colour, it becomes attractive to people. This is trying to say being a mix-race is a beauty with two colours mix together.
* Interpret critically the poet’s intentions (1.3)
The intentions of the poet’s, is to achieve equality in society. People should not classify others by race or colour of ethnicity. He also ask the reader to go and think about discrimination and the word “half-cast” and come back to him “an I will tell ye de other half of my story”.
* Evaluate the tone of