Speechless III: Plot
Key Quotes from “Speechless III: Plot”
Reflecting on Identity
- “…I am the poet…” - Sam-La Rose subtly unveils his identity as a poet in this verse, simultaneously exploring and affirming his sense of self and personal history.
- “…long absence on the black side of the family tree” - Through this line, the poet highlights the lack of knowledge about part of his ancestry, reflecting on the gaps in personal and cultural history.
The Power of Voice and Silence
- “…Celebration of voice, Study of silence…” - This contrasting pair represents the key themes of this poem, acknowledging the existence of voice and silence as powerful communicative and emotional tools.
- “Where is your speech?” - This direct interrogation emphasises the theme of personal voice and its suppression, underlining the power dynamics that often come into play in dialogues and conversations.
Cultural Heritage
- “…echoes of home from the other side of a sea…” - This vivid imagery depicts the idea of a distant and partly inaccessible cultural heritage, hinting at aspects of the immigrant or African diaspora experience.
- “…the taste of cane sugar sweet on the tongue…” - Using sensorial language, Sam-La Rose revisits his ancestral history tied to the sugar cane industry in the Caribbean, expressing a mixed sense of nostalgia and sadness.
Poetic Expression and Storytelling
- “Plot of the palm… Story of the skin…” - This metaphor suggests that the poet’s personal stories and experiences are inscribed on his body and emerge through his poetic expressions.
- “The poem… is never finished, only abandoned.” - In echoing Paul Valery’s famous sentiment, Sam-La Rose implies that the process of crafting a poem can be an ongoing journey of self-discovery and claiming one’s voice.
Revision Technique: Interpretation and Connection
- Draw connections between the assertion of identity in ‘Speechless III: Plot’ and similar themes present across Sam-La Rose’s works.
- Discuss how these quotes explore the theme of personal and collective voice - their presence, their suppression, and their power.
- Notice how Sam-La Rose employs sensory and cultural references to reflect on his Caribbean heritage and its significance.
- Consider the metaphor of the poem as an unfinished, yet abandoned project as a reflection on the process of writing and storytelling. These themes prove critical in Sam-La Rose’s exploration of the personal and the political.