poetry response #8

Holly Patton

Mrs. Jernigan

English AP-IV

21 March 2011

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

Dylan Thomas

            In this piece, poet Dylan Thomas embraces his own “carpe diem” philosophy by characterizing the meeting with death oxymoronically as going “gentle into that good night.” He urges his readers to not accept death without a fight, to live life’s fullest potential, to “rage…against the dying of the light.” Thomas laments those who believe they have discovered life’s true meaning only to find out in the end that their “frail deeds” are futile whether they are good or wise. The shift in Thomas’s speech occurs in the last stanza when he turns from speaking about the general public to a direct address to his father. His contradictory statement of “Curse, bless me” displays the desperation in his pleading. He sees death as a worthy opponent, one that will one day defeat him—but not without a fight.

            I first encountered this poem in the eighth grade in English class. I did not know exactly what to make of it, and I confess that unsurety still prevails. Thomas’s abstract view of death strikes me because of lyrical flow, passionate and pleading poeticism. Yet his perception of death is one that I have trouble grasping. I know and believe that death is a tragedy that every human experiences, but I have not had anyone truly close to me pass away. Some seem ready to go on, and it’s too early for many others.  His passion sparks inspiration in me that makes me want to agree with all of his words; but my verdict of agreement or disagreement has not yet been decided.