Compare how Moniza Alvi in 'Presents from My Aunts in Pakistan' and John Agard in 'Half-caste' present feelings of cultural identity.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme. The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Question 2: Compare how Moniza Alvi in 'Presents from My Aunts in Pakistan' and John Agard in 'Half-caste' present feelings of cultural identity. (30 marks)
2. Level 5 (25-30 marks): Perceptive and sustained comparison of how both poets present cultural identity. Detailed and sophisticated analysis of language, structure, and form. Excellent textual support integrated seamlessly.
3. Level 4 (19-24 marks): Good comparison, showing a clear understanding of cultural identity in both poems. Clear analysis of methods, with relevant and well-chosen textual support.
4. Level 3 (13-18 marks): Sound comparison, showing understanding of cultural identity in both poems. Some analysis of methods, with relevant textual support. May discuss poems separately for parts of the response.
5. Level 2 (7-12 marks): Limited comparison, with basic identification of ideas related to cultural identity. Some textual reference, but analysis is minimal and may be descriptive.
6. Level 1 (1-6 marks): Minimal understanding of cultural identity or the poems. Limited or irrelevant textual reference, or simply summarises content.
7. Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable material.
8. Indicative content:
9. Presents from My Aunts in Pakistan:
10. - Feelings of confusion and a desire to belong to both cultures, or a struggle to reconcile them ('foreign body', 'alien').
11. - Vivid imagery (fabrics, colours, smells) to represent Pakistani culture and its impact on the speaker's identity.
12. - Contrast between Pakistani and English cultures, and the speaker's internal conflict.
13. - The symbolic nature of the clothing as a connection to heritage but also a barrier.
14. - Shifting identity, moving from feeling 'alien' to embracing parts of her heritage.
15. Half-caste:
16. - Feelings of anger, challenge, and defiance against prejudice and discrimination ('explain yuself', 'what yu mean').
17. - Questioning the concept of 'half-caste' itself, highlighting its absurdity and offensive nature.
18. - Use of patois/dialect and rhetorical questions to convey the speaker's voice and challenge the listener.
19. - Imagery of light and dark, art, and nature to mock the idea of 'half' (e.g., 'half-a-sun', 'half-a-shadow').
20. - The poet's forceful rejection of labels and assertion of a complete identity.
21. Comparison Points:
22. - Both explore the complexities and challenges of cultural identity.
23. - Different tones: Alvi's is more reflective/seeking, Agard's is assertive/angry/challenging.
24. - Use of language: Alvi's evocative imagery vs. Agard's direct address, rhetorical questions, and dialect.
25. - How they address external perceptions vs. internal experience.
26. - Structural choices: Alvi's free verse reflecting fluidity, Agard's broken lines and questions reflecting his challenge.
27. - The idea of belonging and alienation in a multicultural context.