Sylvia Plath- Black Rook in Rainy Weather Notes

 Black Rook in Rainy Weather

 Themes: Hope, Creativity, Despondency

Hope

Throughout this poem Plath is hopeful for inspiration and the expectation of a sudden change. 'To set the sight on fire' is a metaphor representing the possibility of something unusual to happen.

Creativity 

The miracle of a sudden inspiration is what this poem is about. Images of fire /light can be seen throughout poem - this represents inspiration. She doesn't know what inspiration may surprise her ' Flare/ suddenly at my elbow'. She is prepared to wait for her inspiration to occur 'The long wait for the angel'. The last line of this poem shows us Plath is dependent on inspiration.

Despondency

The grim dullness of 'neutrality' can be seen throughout this poem. Some lines (3rd in each stanza) are long, repetitive and unappealing in structure displaying monotony of Plath's life. Throughout poem Plath tres persuade herself she can survive on the ordinary but its obvious that she desires, inspiration. 'From fear, of total neutrality'-nothingness scares her. 'Trekking stubborn through this season of fatigue'- emotional exhaustion.

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Imagery Natural, Spiritual

Natural 

Plath uses her immediate surroundings a metaphor for her feelings and ideas. This poem creates a clear picture of the speaker out walking doggedly on a wet day when she sees a black rook hunched on a bare tree. Everything around  her is dull and lifeless - 'dull ruinous landscape' and 'desultory weather'

Spiritual 

Plath uses multiple spiritual images through -out this poem such as 'angels' 'miracles' and 'celestial burning'

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Language Features Alliteration, Metaphor,  personification 

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound at the start of a series of words in succession whose purpose is to provide an audible pulse that gives a piece of writing an emotive effect. 'Shine, As to seize my senses' and 'rare random descent' are examples of peronification in this poem.

Metaphors

The stylistic device of metaphors give the power to poetic language by appealing to the imagination and promoting the readers understanding of the poem. 'To set the sight on fire'- possibly of something unusual to happen. 'Occasionally some backtalk' -witty metaphor, Plath wants to connect with it

Personification 

Personification is used to allow non-human things to take on human traits and emotions. Plath's uses personification in the line 'A certain minor light may still, lean incandescent' the speaker doesn't lose faith, there is still a possibility of something memorable to occur. The 'minor light' is shown to have human properties as it 'stills' and 'leans'

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Tones Unassuming, contemplative

The tone of this poem is unassuming and contemplative. Throughout the poem, the poet is being rather diplomatic, saying 'I do not expect a miracle or an accident' I believe this to be unassuming as usually people would wish for a miracle to occur. Contemplation is seen throughout the poem as there is a constant back and forwarding between whether Plath -can be survive on the 'mundane' alone or Whether she needs that 'rare, random descent' of inspiration to survive.