Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas

Individuals in this situation often realize that their time has ended, yet they have not left a mark in society. “Because their words had forked no lighting…” explains why many dying, old people find themselves in this state of desperation (Thomas 194). The third line in the poem carries the theme of hopelessness even more profoundly. Furthermore, his raving and burning will not change anything as he will inevitably die. It is unlikely that his father has the will-power or energy to follow these instructions. If the protagonist calls for the raving of old age, then he is advocating for something that directly contravenes the norms of old age. Immediately, one can see the irony of the two concepts because passivity and resignation typify old age. Thomas is associating these images with old age. They cause one to think of an intense fight or wild movements.

The metaphors ‘burn’ and ‘rave’ stir up images of violent motion. In the analysis, the author believes that one should fight for life in spite of one’s age. “Old age should burn and rave at close of day.” (Thomas 194). The second line in the poem epitomizes this aspect. Analysisĭylan Thomas uses plenty of imagery to evoke emotions of desperation. Through the use of imagery, the poet conveys the futility of his protagonist’s wishes, and makes one relate to the hopelessness of his father’s situation. His father is dying but the narrator wants him to fight this state. The poem “Do not go gentle into that good night” is a desperate plea to a man who can do nothing but postpone the inevitable.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas