Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
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- Category: English: Poetic Works
- Date Submitted: 08/04/2014 03:20 AM
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Death in the “Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night” Poem
One could think of death as the end of an era, others however believe that it marks the beginning of a new start. Death is a controversial, inevitable notion feared by many. Dylan Thomas encourages readers to battle against the arrival of death and to achieve longevity. In his poem, “Do not Go Gentle into that Good Night,” Thomas addresses people to storm against the malicious concept of death.
In “Do not go gentle into that good night” (1), death is embodied in “good night” which is an image of serenity, romance, relaxation and tranquility. However, Thomas pleads the elderly to fight against such temptation which could end a man’s life. Despite the roughness of old age, Thomas believes that one should live life to the fullest. Satisfaction with oneself does not come with the acceptance and acknowledgment of death, it is rather accomplished by the rejection of the enticing everlasting sleep. This is because Thomas believes that aged people do not differ from young ones. They can strive towards their dreams, seize every moment with joy and achieve their goals.
Thomas states that “Old age should burn and rage at close of day” (2). The process of burning alludes to the burning of passion, eagerness and life. Fire’s ability to grow, shrink and transcend, shapes it into a certain form just like humans who grow older, gain or lose weight, or display aging body and face lineaments. The color of flames, red, symbolizes blood which is connected to the matter of life and death. This process also manages to generate energy and power giving it a sense of liveliness. However, Thomas refers to it as an elimination process that terminates old age. It is a consolidated fallacy in their minds that restricts their every move and chains their lives as if they had already ended.
The poet uses light, in his phrase “rage, rage against the dying of light” (3), because it exemplifies guidance, enlightenment and love. The...
One could think of death as the end of an era, others however believe that it marks the beginning of a new start. Death is a controversial, inevitable notion feared by many. Dylan Thomas encourages readers to battle against the arrival of death and to achieve longevity. In his poem, “Do not Go Gentle into that Good Night,” Thomas addresses people to storm against the malicious concept of death.
In “Do not go gentle into that good night” (1), death is embodied in “good night” which is an image of serenity, romance, relaxation and tranquility. However, Thomas pleads the elderly to fight against such temptation which could end a man’s life. Despite the roughness of old age, Thomas believes that one should live life to the fullest. Satisfaction with oneself does not come with the acceptance and acknowledgment of death, it is rather accomplished by the rejection of the enticing everlasting sleep. This is because Thomas believes that aged people do not differ from young ones. They can strive towards their dreams, seize every moment with joy and achieve their goals.
Thomas states that “Old age should burn and rage at close of day” (2). The process of burning alludes to the burning of passion, eagerness and life. Fire’s ability to grow, shrink and transcend, shapes it into a certain form just like humans who grow older, gain or lose weight, or display aging body and face lineaments. The color of flames, red, symbolizes blood which is connected to the matter of life and death. This process also manages to generate energy and power giving it a sense of liveliness. However, Thomas refers to it as an elimination process that terminates old age. It is a consolidated fallacy in their minds that restricts their every move and chains their lives as if they had already ended.
The poet uses light, in his phrase “rage, rage against the dying of light” (3), because it exemplifies guidance, enlightenment and love. The...