"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men know at their end dark is right, Because their words forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding light Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. |
Use of Poetic Devices and Theme
The poem thought to be Dylan Thomas’s most famous is called “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”. Thomas uses figurative language throughout, which brings a deeper meaning to his poem. He does not use a specific topic, but instead, used metaphors and similes, so the reader can substitute what they want into the poem. Thomas was probably thinking about death as he wrote; light depicts life, and dark represents death. There are multiple themes you can take from the story. One may be that time doesn't wait for you, and before you know it, you may be on your deathbed. Death will come; it is inevitable. While we wait for death, we have to deal with life. We have to struggle against it, and “rage, rage against the dying of the light” so that when we reach “that good night”, we will have accomplished something.
“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” uses stanzas, rhyme, rhyme scheme, metaphors, similes, enjambment, repetition, and rhythm. It is separated into six sections, or stanzas. The rhyme scheme is ABA in every stanza but the last, which is ABAA. The whole poem is made up of figurative language, including metaphors and similes. The words ‘night’ and ‘light’ aren’t literal; they stand for something else. I love how Thomas uses these terms to describe death and life. Using figurative language makes the poem more beautiful than stating what you literally mean. It enhances the meaning of the poem, and makes you think more. ‘Light’ and ‘night’ are just two examples of this. The fifth stanza uses a simile: ‘Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight / blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, / rage, rage against the dying of the light’ Thomas compares the blazing of the blind eyes to meteors using the word ‘like’, so it makes it a simile. There are also metaphors scattered throughout the poem. ‘Though wise men at their end know dark is right / Because their words had forked no lightning they’ is another because it could actually mean the wise men didn't use their words to their full extent, and now regret it while ‘... they / do not go gentle into that good night’. The line, ‘because their words forked no lightning they’ is also an example of enjambment. This means the sentence goes on to another line without using punctuation. There are two lines that are repeated multiple times: ‘rage, rage against the dying of the light’ and ‘do not go gentle into that good night’. Repeating these lines emphasizes their meaning. They represent the main idea of the poem.
This poem uses beautiful words and metaphors to express ideas. Dylan Thomas clearly has something to say about life and death, and uses his extraordinary gift of writing to tell us. I really like the whole theme of the poem. I also love the line "rage, rage against the dying of the light". I think the word 'rage' perfectly describes the emotion Thomas wants the reader to feel. Throughout the poem, he includes many different kinds of people: wise, good, wild, and grave. They all have regrets, but maybe you and I can learn from them.
“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” uses stanzas, rhyme, rhyme scheme, metaphors, similes, enjambment, repetition, and rhythm. It is separated into six sections, or stanzas. The rhyme scheme is ABA in every stanza but the last, which is ABAA. The whole poem is made up of figurative language, including metaphors and similes. The words ‘night’ and ‘light’ aren’t literal; they stand for something else. I love how Thomas uses these terms to describe death and life. Using figurative language makes the poem more beautiful than stating what you literally mean. It enhances the meaning of the poem, and makes you think more. ‘Light’ and ‘night’ are just two examples of this. The fifth stanza uses a simile: ‘Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight / blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, / rage, rage against the dying of the light’ Thomas compares the blazing of the blind eyes to meteors using the word ‘like’, so it makes it a simile. There are also metaphors scattered throughout the poem. ‘Though wise men at their end know dark is right / Because their words had forked no lightning they’ is another because it could actually mean the wise men didn't use their words to their full extent, and now regret it while ‘... they / do not go gentle into that good night’. The line, ‘because their words forked no lightning they’ is also an example of enjambment. This means the sentence goes on to another line without using punctuation. There are two lines that are repeated multiple times: ‘rage, rage against the dying of the light’ and ‘do not go gentle into that good night’. Repeating these lines emphasizes their meaning. They represent the main idea of the poem.
This poem uses beautiful words and metaphors to express ideas. Dylan Thomas clearly has something to say about life and death, and uses his extraordinary gift of writing to tell us. I really like the whole theme of the poem. I also love the line "rage, rage against the dying of the light". I think the word 'rage' perfectly describes the emotion Thomas wants the reader to feel. Throughout the poem, he includes many different kinds of people: wise, good, wild, and grave. They all have regrets, but maybe you and I can learn from them.