Plummeting: Plot

Plummeting: Plot

Reference to Personal Experiences

  • “Plummeting: Plot” involves a narrative based on Sam-La Rose’s personal experiences and feelings.
  • It conveys the fall from childhood innocence into the awareness and responsibility that come with adulthood, mirroring the poet’s own transition.

Abstract Nature of the Poem

  • “Plummeting: Plot” follows a non-linear narrative structure, which parallels the complex and unpredictable nature of life.
  • Each paragraph presents a different aspect of the consciousness and external reality of the speaker.

Recurring Symbol of ‘Falling’

  • The recurring symbol of ‘falling’ permeates the poem, creating a reflection upon notions of loss, vulnerability, fear, and freedom.
  • This ‘falling’ can be interpreted metaphorically as falling into the world of adulthood and its encompassing duties, as well as literally describing the act of jumping or falling.

Exploration of Urban Life

  • The poem presents images of urban life, such as cars and roads, contributing to the theme of growing up in a modern, fast-paced world.
  • The urban imagery reflects the poet’s personal experiences growing up in London and emphasizes the progression and speed at which life can ‘plummet’ forward.

Use of Diction and Tone

  • The poem’s diction conveys a sense of hesitation and apprehension as well as a yearning for freedom, tying back to the theme of transitioning to adulthood.
  • The tone of the poem shifts throughout, reflecting the various emotions experienced in the transition from childhood to adulthood. This fluctuation resonates with the poem’s theme of ‘plummeting’ or sudden descent into varying experiences and emotions.

Indication of Time

  • The use of seasonal imagery provides a sense of time passing - from the innocence of spring to the harsh reality of winter.
  • Time markers such as “those days” and “since then” indicate the passage of time and evoke a feeling of nostalgia.

Narrative Voice and Perspective

  • The narrative voice is personal and reflective, enabling the reader to engage with the emotional depth of the speaker’s experiences.
  • The varying perspectives offered by the poem emulate1 the experience of plummeting - moments of calm followed by moments of free-fall. This lends diversity and depth to the narrative, encapsulating the emotional complexities of growing up.