Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night: D. Thomas

Introduction

Dylan Thomas was born in Wales in the year 114. He is best known for his first three poetic works, Eighteen Poems (14), Twenty-five Poems (14), and The Map of Love (1). Thomas also wrote several works that were somewhat autobiographical. He has been praised for his imagery in his writing, using vividly dreamlike representations to convey his message. During the War years, Thomas wrote several volumes through his childhood eyes, which emphasized his religious principles. Dylan Thomas passed away at the age of, a month after completing his last work Under Milk Wood, a vocal play.

Theme

The theme of this poem involves one's attitude in old age, when they are approaching death. The message is that although death is natural and inevitable it can seduce people, making them spend their last days waiting to die rather than trying to live.

Analysis

In “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”, a somber mood is reflected. The poem deals with the inevitability of death. The author is showing encouragement to his dying father (as indicated in the last stanza) to hold on to life and “not go gentle into that good night.” He uses “that good night” as a metaphorical reference to death. When one wishes a person “good night” or sweet dreams they are bidding that person to a dreamland, or Promised Land. Thus I believe “that good night” is an allusion to heaven. The contrast between night and day is used throughout the poem with reference to life and death.

This is a commonly used metaphor, with daytime and light indicating life and darkness and night representing death. The last lines in each stanza alternate between “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” and “Do not go gentle into that good ...