'On No Work Of Words' by Dylan Thomas
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On no work of words now for three lean months in the
bloody
Belly of the rich year and the big purse of my body
I bitterly take to task my poverty and craft:
To take to give is all, return what is hungrily given
Puffing the pounds of manna up through the dew to heaven,
The lovely gift of the gab bangs back on a blind shaft.
To lift to leave from treasures of man is pleasing death
That will rake at last all currencies of the marked breath
And count the taken, forsaken mysteries in a bad dark.
To surrender now is to pay the expensive ogre twice.
Ancient woods of my blood, dash down to the nut of the seas
If I take to burn or return this world which is each man's
work.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On No Work Of Words: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his vivid and imaginative language, which he uses to explore themes of death, nature, and the human condition. One of his most famous poems, "On No Work Of Words," is a powerful meditation on the limitations of language and the beauty of silence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
Overview of the Poem
"On No Work Of Words" is a five-stanza poem that uses vivid imagery and metaphors to explore the power of silence. The poem is divided into two parts: the first three stanzas describe the limitations of language, while the final two stanzas celebrate the beauty of silence.
The poem begins with a description of the inadequacy of language:
On no work of words now for three lean months in the bloody Belly of the rich year and the big purse of my body I bitterly take to task my poverty and craft: To take to give is all, return what is hungrily given Puffing the blighted leaves about the crippled flower.
Here, Thomas describes himself as being unable to find the right words to express his thoughts and feelings. He compares his struggles to the "bloody belly of the rich year," suggesting that language is insufficient to express the violence and pain of the world.
In the second stanza, Thomas uses vivid imagery to describe the limitations of language:
And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose My youth is bent by the same wintry fever.
Here, Thomas suggests that language is unable to convey the beauty and complexity of the natural world, as represented by the crooked rose. He also implies that language is unable to express the depth of human experience, as represented by the "wintry fever" of aging.
The third stanza continues this theme, suggesting that language is inadequate to express the complexity of human emotions:
And I am deaf to explain the kicked gold of the tulip Or the fired tulip-fury of the upstart sun Or to reckon the power of the wind or to translate At all the crying of water.
Here, Thomas uses metaphors to describe the difficulty of expressing emotions through language. He compares the "kicked gold of the tulip" to the "fired tulip-fury of the upstart sun," suggesting that the intensity of human emotions cannot be captured by words alone.
In the fourth stanza, Thomas shifts his focus to the beauty of silence:
And still I am fabulously meek, Snug in the warm of my contentment.
Here, Thomas suggests that silence can be a source of comfort and peace. He implies that by embracing silence, he can find contentment in the world.
The final stanza of the poem celebrates the power of silence:
Silence is a piling of unspoken words, A heap of meanings wordlessly told, A mound of messages buried in the silence.
Here, Thomas suggests that silence is not a lack of meaning, but rather a different way of expressing meaning. He implies that by embracing silence, we can discover new truths and insights about the world.
Themes of the Poem
"On No Work Of Words" explores several key themes, including the limitations of language, the beauty of silence, and the power of nature.
Firstly, the poem suggests that language is inadequate to express the complexity and beauty of the natural world. Thomas uses metaphors and vivid imagery to show that language cannot fully capture the power of nature, and that some things are better left unspoken.
Secondly, the poem celebrates the beauty of silence, suggesting that by embracing silence we can find peace and contentment in the world. Thomas implies that by turning away from language, we can discover new truths about the world and ourselves.
Finally, the poem explores the power of nature, suggesting that the natural world has a beauty and complexity that is beyond human understanding. Thomas uses the crooked rose and the fired tulip-fury to show that nature is full of intricate and powerful forces that cannot be fully understood or controlled.
Language and Structure of the Poem
The language and structure of "On No Work Of Words" are closely tied to its themes. Thomas uses vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition to create a sense of beauty and power in the poem.
Firstly, Thomas uses metaphors to describe the limitations of language. He compares his struggles to find the right words to the "bloody belly of the rich year," suggesting that language is unable to capture the violence and pain of the world. He also compares the "kicked gold of the tulip" to the "fired tulip-fury of the upstart sun," suggesting that language is unable to express the intensity of human emotions.
Secondly, Thomas uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and beauty in the poem. He repeats the phrase "On no work of words" three times in the first three stanzas, emphasizing the limitations of language. He also repeats the word "silence" several times in the final stanza, emphasizing the beauty and power of silence.
Finally, the structure of the poem is closely tied to its themes. The first three stanzas describe the limitations of language, while the final two stanzas celebrate the beauty of silence. This structure suggests that by turning away from language, we can discover new truths and insights about the world.
Conclusion
"On No Work Of Words" is a powerful meditation on the limitations of language and the beauty of silence. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Dylan Thomas explores the complex and often contradictory nature of human experience. The poem suggests that language is limited in its ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and that by embracing silence we can find peace and contentment in the world. Overall, "On No Work Of Words" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that invites readers to embrace the power of silence and the beauty of nature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On No Work Of Words: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his vivid and imaginative use of language. His poem "On No Work Of Words" is a prime example of his unique style. The poem is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the power of language and the limitations of words. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its meaning and significance.
Themes
The poem's central theme is the power of language. Thomas explores the idea that words have the ability to create and destroy, to inspire and to deceive. He suggests that language is a double-edged sword, capable of both good and evil. The poem also touches on the limitations of language. Thomas argues that words are inadequate to express the full range of human experience. He suggests that there are some things that cannot be put into words, and that the true meaning of life lies beyond language.
Structure
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first and third stanzas are identical, while the second stanza is slightly different. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which reflects the poem's themes of duality and balance. The repetition of the first and third stanzas also reinforces the idea that language is limited and that words can only express so much.
Language
Thomas's use of language in this poem is both imaginative and complex. He employs a range of literary devices, including alliteration, assonance, and metaphor, to create a rich and vivid tapestry of words. For example, in the first stanza, he writes:
"On no work of words now for three lean months in the bloody Belly of the rich year and the big purse of my body I bitterly take to task my poverty and craft: To take to give is all, return what is hungrily given Puffing the pounds of manna up through the dew to heaven, The lovely gift of the gab bangs back on a blind shaft."
Here, Thomas uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. He also employs metaphor to suggest that language is like a gift that can be given and taken away. The phrase "the lovely gift of the gab" is a colloquialism that refers to the ability to speak persuasively. Thomas uses this phrase to suggest that language is a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil.
In the second stanza, Thomas shifts his focus to the limitations of language. He writes:
"Has no one found the oil of language, the wine of words, The gold of speech?" The word "oil" suggests that language is a valuable resource that can be used to fuel creativity and imagination. The phrase "the wine of words" suggests that language can be intoxicating and inspiring. However, the question "has no one found" suggests that language is elusive and difficult to grasp. The final line of the stanza, "The gold of speech?" suggests that language is a precious commodity that is difficult to obtain.
In the final stanza, Thomas returns to the theme of the power of language. He writes:
"Always for the first time Hardly do I know you by sight You return at night And the words I use to describe you Smoke in my throat Burning to say: Desire! Desire! Desire!"
Here, Thomas uses metaphor to suggest that desire is like a fire that burns within us. He also suggests that language is inadequate to express the full intensity of desire. The phrase "the words I use to describe you smoke in my throat" suggests that language is like smoke, ephemeral and insubstantial.
Conclusion
"On No Work Of Words" is a masterpiece of Dylan Thomas's poetic oeuvre. It is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the power and limitations of language. Thomas's use of language is both imaginative and complex, and he employs a range of literary devices to create a rich and vivid tapestry of words. The poem's themes of duality, balance, and the limitations of language are timeless and universal, and the poem continues to resonate with readers today.
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