Turning Darker Still: Plot

Plot Summary

“Turning Darker Still” is a narrative poem that grapples with the raw emotions related to racism within a school context.
The speaker remembers an incident from his schooldays when he was the target of a racial slur.
The narrative is framed within the speaker’s contemplation of the incident as an adult, reflecting on the impact and implications of the event.

Detailed Breakdown of Events

The poem starts with the speaker in the present, looking at old black and white photographs. This moment triggers the memory of a past event.
The memory occurs during his school days where an unnamed classmate uses a racial insult towards the speaker.
The speaker then discusses the consequences, with an adult intervention that led to the perpetrator’s expulsion.
Even after the expulsion, the speaker conveys the lingering emotional trauma and discomfort related to the incident.
The poem concludes with the speaker back in the present, pondering the lasting psychological effects and questioning the nature of such prejudiced attitudes.

Key Events

The triggering of the memory by looking at old photographs illustrates the long-held impact of discriminatory behaviour.
The incident of racist verbal aggression is the poem’s climactic moment, serving as a vivid illustration of racism within a school setting.
The protagonist’s reflections towards the end of the poem underscore the lasting and damaging psychological aftermath of racism.

Note: The narrative structure of “Turning Darker Still” presents a clear and haunting illustration of racism, capturing the lingering emotional toll experienced by the speaker. The narrative is punctuated by poignant moments of reflection, creating a compelling emotional journey.