Speechless IV: Plot

Language Use

Predominantly, modern technological metaphors are employed throughout the poem, an analogy for the protagonist’s struggle to express their emotions appropriately.
Code-switching is frequently demonstrated between standard English and the digital language, illustrating the speaker’s adjustment in various settings.
The phonetic representation of computer code and jargon reflects the intricacy of human language and the protagonist’s ease in a technological sphere.
There is use of imagery that ties human emotions to the cold and logical processes of computers, emphasising the speaker’s disconnection.

Themes and Motifs

A focus on communication and language barriers is apparent throughout, reflecting the character’s struggle to express their authentic self through words.
Experiences of loneliness and alienation emerge as significant themes, carried by the disconnect between the speaker and their surroundings.
The motif of information processing, in parallel with human emotions, draws attention to the convoluted dimension of understanding and expression.
Identity conflict, particularly between a familiar technical realm and a complex human society, is a prominent theme within the poem.

Cultural Identity and Code-Switching

The poem underscores the tension between the standard social norms and the protagonist’s comfortable, technological language - code-switching, similarly to “Speechless II”, is a coping mechanism.
“Speechless IV: Plot” also delves into the issues of trying to adhere to common behavioural patterns while retaining an individual’s uniqueness.
It sheds light on the influential role of language in moulding, displaying and reconciling with one’s cultural identity.

Key Quotes

“Words stuttered out like corrupted data” - shows the speaker’s struggle in expressing themselves, tying it with the familiar computer language malfunction.
“Disconnection in process…” - symbolises the speaker’s sense of isolation as they fail to decode the complex nuances of social interaction.
“I’ve always preferred low-level languages” - portrays the speaker’s comfort and satisfaction in the logical simplicity of digital codes compared to intricate human language.

Note: In “Speechless IV: Plot”, as with Jacob Sam-La Rose’s other pieces, there exists a complex interplay of language, identity, and communication. Combining digital metaphors with explorations of identity and expression, Sam-La Rose effectively portrays the tension of straddling two distinct worlds. The protagonist’s journey illustrates the challenge of adhering to societal pressures, the complexities of communication beyond mere words, and the struggle for maintaining unique identity.