Personal thoughts on and comparing two poems from different cultures, counties and traditions.

My Essay by Maria Burdett

In this essay I will be writing my thoughts on and comparing two poems from different cultures, counties and traditions. One of them is called ‘Presents from My Aunt in Pakistan’ by Moniza Alvi and one called ‘Half-Caste’ by John Agard. Although these two poems are of different subjects and are written by different people, these two poems are much alike. They both write about the English culture and many complaints of England.

As well as different subjects, the poets have different tones to their poems and attitude. John Agard is very bitter and sounds angry to the English people calling him Half-Caste whereas Moniza Alvi seems sad and unwanted in England. The Moniza Alvi poem describes a young Pakistan born child who has been brought up in England wanting to go to Pakistan to live.

The effect of Agard’s poem and the way it is set out means that he is getting straight to the point and is angry as he uses short, sharp sentences to prove and to make it look like he is annoyed e.g.:

‘Explain yuself

Wha yu mean’ (repetitive)

I think this is what makes this poem effective.

Whereas Alvi used longer sentences to make her poem more detailed to show how she really felt, hers is really effective by the way she describes things e.g.:

‘…glistening like an orange split open,

Embossed slippers, gold and black…’ (Line4-5)

I think ...

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‘Explain yuself

Wha yu mean’ (repetitive)

I think this is what makes this poem effective.

Whereas Alvi used longer sentences to make her poem more detailed to show how she really felt, hers is really effective by the way she describes things e.g.:

‘…glistening like an orange split open,

Embossed slippers, gold and black…’ (Line4-5)

I think that she is very sad and calm at the same time by using these sorts of words and examples.

The language of both poems is different. Alvi’s poem suggests that she has lived in England long enough for her to understand Standard English. Agard’s poem has 3 lines that suggest he can use Standard English and that he can prove it but in the rest of the poem he uses dialect and slang. e.g.:

; so spiteful dem don’t want de sun pass ah rass/…’ (Line21-22)

This suggests that he speaks Jamaican or another language which is obviously his origin.

The poem Agard say many things about the English culture as well as Alvi does. Agard says that the English people speak a lot about the weather, so he thinks it must be good. Alvi also suggests about the English Culture being shopping. E.g.:

‘My aunts requested cardigans from Marks & Spencer’s’ (line 38-39)

In some cases this English culture might be true in my opinion.

In my opinion, I think that it is important that we read poems by or about different people and cultures and traditions. I think this so that we know about different people and know what they feel. We also find out their concerns because just because they are of a different religion or something it does not affect their feelings as we would feel the same.

I think that I have learnt more after reading these poems, especially the one from Agard. I think that this is effective as I would never have thought about using the word half- caste just say it straight away. I don’t think I will use the word again, now knowing what it means.

I enjoyed reading both poems and enjoyed doing the essay.

Written by Maria Burdett 10N (541 words)