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Linton Kwesi Johnson Poem Analysis

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He is a UK based dub poet, known and revered as the world’s first reggae poet. His poetry is very political focusing on themes such as oppression, racism, justice, alienation and diaspora. Regarding his poetry, Johnson has stated that : From the very beginning I saw myself as giving voice to, and documenting, the experiences of my generation. His poetry has gained wide recognition as he, like Louise Bennett, only writes and performs in Jamaican Patois, despite having moved to England in 1963 when he was only 11. In 2002, he became the second living poet and the first black poet to be published in the Penguin’s Modern Classics series under the title ”Mi Revalueshanary Fren” This brought about several reactions including literary critiques who felt that he did not deserve it. Michael Schmidt, editorial director of Carcanet Books, though an admirer of Johnson 's recitals, deems his work a classic not of "literary" but "performance" poetry. It doesn’t belong on the page," he insists. "It 's patronising - misappropriating something that thrives in a different …show more content…

He is stopping and reflecting on the future, as he is ”doin’ quite well” he might be promoted into a higher job. He is not intimidated starting out as ”a dish-washah” because he is determined to work, and not be a ”clack-watchah.” The chorus is rehearsed afterwards, the only difference is the last line ”Dere’s no running whey fram it” is replaced with ”Noh badday try fi hide fram it”. The negative atmosphere of the chorus is still present: England is a bitch so do not bother hiding from it. The last line of the chorus alternates each time indicating the constant change of jobs Johnson undertakes. However, with every job, England still treats him like a

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