Plummeting: Themes & Linking Poems

The poem “Plummeting” is part of Jacob Sam-La Rose’s collection, Breaking Silence. It presents an experience of falling, which can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. This theme serves as a conversation starter about fear, uncertainty and the human condition.

The themes of “Plummeting” dovetail with other poems in the collection. Just as “Speaking in Tongues” explores the fear of losing cultural identity, “Plummeting” also explores the fear of losing control and the familiar.
The poem shares similar themes with “A Love Like”. Both poems portray an intense, almost visceral feeling, seeming to weave in and out of reality and imagination.
Another thematic connection exists with “Insomnia”, as both poems grapple with unsettling aspects of the human subconscious.

“Plummeting” uses rich imagery and personification. For instance, the “floor yawning open”, which enhances the feeling of disorientation and fear.
Sam-La Rose’s use of enjambment and free verse in this poem echo the absence of stability and ground underneath, contributing to a sense of unpredictability.
The monosyllabic sounds and short lines used in the poem create a fast pace, reflecting the suddenness and speed of a fall.
There’s strategic use of pause or caesura, constructing a breathless rhythm that adds to the feeling of breathless falling sensation.

Focus on the feeling of fright and uncertainty that the poem conveys. How are these feelings expressed through the poem’s form, structure, and language?
Analyse how Sam-La Rose’s use of imagery and personification bring out the theme of falling and the mental state associated with it.
Compare “Plummeting” with other poems from the Breaking Silence collection such as “Speaking in Tongues”, “A Love Like”, and “Insomnia”. Identify shared themes and techniques.
Consider the rhythm of the poem and its contribution to the theme of falling. Reflect on the impact of monosyllabic sounds, short lines, and strategic pauses.