Language

Style of writing

The poem “Listen Mr Oxford don” by John Agard is renowned for its language. Below, we outline some of the features of its style.

Non-standard grammar and spelling

Traditionally, poems are quite formal, but this poem is highly informal in style. This is because it is written in Caribbean dialect, which includes many features that are considered incorrect according to traditional English spelling and grammar. 

A few examples of this are the use of “de” instead of “the”, “yu” instead of “you”, and “dem” instead of “them”. This is done intentionally to convey the speaking style of Caribbean people and to implie that immigrant speakers of English are considered less educated. Furthermore, there is no punctuation in the poem. 

Another unusual feature is that the poem uses slashes to further play with language:

I dont need no axe
to split/ up yu syntax
I dont need no hammer
to mash/ up yu grammar” (p. 69, ll. 17-20)

The slashes visually strengthen the meaning of the words “split up” and “mash up”, helping the author emphasize that language can be used as a weapon against discrimination. The use of the slash enacts the “slashing up” of the line’s syntax by making the reader pause for a moment, helping to demonstrate that his use of language is even more effective than a physical tool such as an “axe”.

Important word classes

Sometimes specific word classes play an important role in a poem. One example is the use of adjectives. The speaker describes himself as a “simple” (p. 69, l. 2) and a “concise peaceful man” (p. 69, l. 29), showing that he means no harm to the English people and their culture. However, he is “wanted” (p. 69, l. 22), meaning that he is seen as a threat, simply because he is an immigrant. This forces the speaker to become “armed” and “dangerous”, but his weapons are his language and his ideas.

Nouns with negative meanings such as “gun” (p. 69, l. 12), “knife” (p. 69, l. 13),  “axe” (p. 69, l. 17), and “hammer” (p. 69, l. 19) are also used to metaphorically suggest that immigrants are seen as violent. The speaker does not own any of these weapons; instead, he will be dangerous in a way that the Oxford don does not expect, by speaking up against his oppression. He shows through his language that he can use syntax and grammar more effectively than physical weapons.

Poetic devices

The poem uses various poetic, or literary, devices to make its meaning more clear. We outline some of them below. 

Contrast

The poem “Listen Mr Oxford don” by John Agard uses contrasts to show the perceived differences between the immigrant speaker of the poem and the native English people. 

One example is the difference in education. This is seen in the first stanza, as the speaker states: “I didn’t graduate/I immigrate” (p. 69, ll. 4-5). While the English tend to be well-educated, immigrants like him do not. He seems to be implying that because of this difference, many English people look down on immigrants. By creating an end rhyme between “graduate” and “immigrate”, however...