Comparing Poems

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Comparing Poems

Tommy Patton

Identity is different for every person, it is what separates us all and makes us unique. Identity can be split into many categories. In the poem 'Nothing's Changed', segregation is used to show us the poets feelings whereas 'Half-Caste' is mainly focused on racial equality.

Each of the poets structure their poems in ways that express their feelings and ideas about identity; the differences in each vary. 'Half-Caste' consists of 4 stanzas, written with a lack of punctuation and in patois dialect that allows the reader the freedom to express the poem in a way that they wish. Also, the haphazard, informal way that the poem is written suggests it should be read aloud. This reflects John Agard's strive for freedom. The phrase, 'Explain yuself/wha yu mean/when yu say half-caste', is a refrain. This refrain is repeated throughout the poem to question the reader. It is an aggressive confrontation between the reader and the poet that elicits an answer from the reader. 'Nothing's Changed' is written formally so that the poet can express a controlled anger. Segregation is used to show the separate identities of blacks and whites. It is set out in