Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” consists of six stanzas, each with three lines. With a structured rhyme scheme and tight organization, Thomas conveys the main theme of the poem with aplomb. The speaker assumes a firm, pedantic stance from the first line forward, speaking in a commanding voice to the reader. Ultimately, Thomas’s poem encourages living life to the fullest and never giving into the temptations of cynicism or apathy that tend to plague those in their senior years.

The primary tone of “Do Not Go Gentle” is empowering or uplifting. Rather than fear death or simply succumb to its inevitability, people need to “rage, rage against the dying of the light,” (lines 3 and 15). Using diction that should evoke anger, such as the term “rage” is instead meant to ignite the fire of passion that lives within each person. In fact, Thomas also uses the poetic device of repetition to motivate the reader to take charge of the mind and emotions and to be in control of one’s destiny.

Imagery is also a major poetic device used in “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” One of the main motifs of the poem is the juxtaposition between night and day, or correspondingly, darkness and light or death and life. For example, each time the speaker uses the line “do not go gentle into that good night,” it is immediately followed by imagery related to day or light such as “close of day” (line 2), “lightening” (line 4), the “sun in flight,” (line 10), and “blinding sight,” (line 13). In fact, this latter phrase “blinding sight” exemplifies the use of irony in Thomas’s poem. To fight death does not mean to deny its inevitability, but instead to embrace one’s true potential while alive.

Through the use of irony, imagery, diction, and tone, Dylan Thomas inspires, motivates and uplifts readers of “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” This short but pithy poem encapsulates a positive attitude towards aging. Instead of surrendering to death, one must live life fully by making a mark in the world.

References

Thomas, D. (2012). Do not go gentle into that good night. Prentice Hall: Literature, Grade 10, Part 2, Common Core Edition. [Bookshelf Online]. (pp. 679). Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781256493914