'Now' by Dylan Thomas


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Now
Say nay,
Man dry man,
Dry lover mine
The deadrock base and blow the flowered anchor,
Should he, for centre sake, hop in the dust,
Forsake, the fool, the hardiness of anger.Now
Say nay,
Sir no say,
Death to the yes,
the yes to death, the yesman and the answer,
Should he who split his children with a cure
Have brotherless his sister on the handsaw.Now
Say nay,
No say sir
Yea the dead stir,
And this, nor this, is shade, the landed crow,
He lying low with ruin in his ear,
The cockrel's tide upcasting from the fire.Now
Say nay,
So star fall,
So the ball fail,
So solve the mystic sun, the wife of light,
The sun that leaps on petals through a nought,
the come-a-cropper rider of the flower.Now
Say nay
A fig for
The seal of fire,
Death hairy-heeled and the tapped ghost in wood,
We make me mystic as the arm of air,
The two-a-vein, the foreskin, and the cloud.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Now" by Dylan Thomas: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

As a literary critic, I am always on the lookout for great works of poetry that challenge me intellectually and emotionally. And in "Poetry, Now," Dylan Thomas has given us a masterpiece of modern poetry that does just that. This 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation of "Poetry, Now" will explore the themes, imagery, and techniques used by Thomas to create his vivid and evocative work of art.

Overview of "Poetry, Now"

"Poetry, Now" is a poem that reflects on the nature and purpose of poetry. Thomas begins by describing a world where poetry is in decline, where the "words / Begin to crumble like dead leaves / And fall from the trees of the mind." The image of dead leaves falling from trees is a powerful one, suggesting that the poetry of the past is fading away, and that something new is needed to take its place.

But Thomas isn't content to simply mourn the loss of poetry; he wants to create something new, something that will breathe life into the art form once again. He calls on poets to "take the sun / And mould it into poetry," to use their imaginations to create something fresh and exciting.

Throughout the poem, Thomas uses vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and a variety of poetic techniques to explore the theme of renewing and revitalizing poetry. He also touches on broader themes of creativity, imagination, and the nature of art.

Themes

At its core, "Poetry, Now" is a poem about the power of creativity and imagination. Thomas is acutely aware of the decline of poetry and the need for something new and fresh to take its place. He sees poetry as a kind of mirror for society, reflecting the world and its values back to us. But he also recognizes that poetry can shape the world, that it has the power to change hearts and minds.

Throughout the poem, Thomas challenges poets to use their imaginations and creativity to create something new and exciting. He sees poetry as a kind of alchemy, where the raw materials of life (like the sun) can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful.

Another important theme of "Poetry, Now" is the relationship between art and society. Thomas recognizes that poetry is not a solitary pursuit, but one that is deeply intertwined with the world around us. He sees poets as "the scribes of the soul," recording the hopes, fears, and dreams of humanity.

But Thomas is also aware of the dangers of art becoming too disconnected from its audience. He warns against the kind of poetry that is so esoteric and obscure that it only appeals to a select few. Instead, he advocates for poetry that is accessible and meaningful to a wide range of people.

Imagery and Symbolism

One of the things that makes "Poetry, Now" such a powerful poem is the wealth of vivid imagery and rich symbolism that Thomas employs. Throughout the poem, he uses a variety of images and metaphors to explore the themes of creativity and renewal.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the image of the sun. Thomas sees the sun as a kind of raw material for poetry, something that can be shaped and molded into something new and beautiful. He also sees the sun as a symbol of life and vitality, something that is desperately needed in a world where poetry is in decline.

Another important image in the poem is that of the dead leaves falling from the trees. This image is a powerful symbol of the decline of poetry, and the need for something new to take its place. It also suggests the cyclical nature of art, with old forms giving way to new ones over time.

Thomas also uses a variety of other images and symbols throughout the poem, including the moon, the stars, the sea, and the wind. Each of these images contributes to the overall sense of renewal and revitalization that pervades the poem.

Poetic Techniques

In addition to its rich imagery and symbolism, "Poetry, Now" is also notable for the variety of poetic techniques that Thomas employs. Throughout the poem, he uses a range of devices such as alliteration, repetition, and metaphor to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. In the opening lines, Thomas repeats the phrase "words begin" twice, creating a sense of urgency and importance. Later in the poem, he repeats the phrase "take the sun" several times, emphasizing the importance of creativity and imagination in poetry.

Another important technique used by Thomas is alliteration. He uses repeated sounds to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, as in the line "The scribes of the soul / Scribble in the sun." This use of alliteration contributes to the beauty and power of the poem.

Conclusion

In "Poetry, Now," Dylan Thomas has given us a powerful and thought-provoking work of modern poetry. Through his use of vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and a variety of poetic techniques, he explores the themes of creativity, renewal, and the power of art to shape the world.

Thomas's call for poets to use their imaginations and creativity to create something new and exciting is as relevant today as it was when he wrote the poem. In a world where poetry (and the arts in general) can often seem undervalued and underappreciated, "Poetry, Now" is a reminder of the vital role that art plays in our lives.

As a literary critic, I am truly excited by the power and beauty of "Poetry, Now." This is a poem that demands to be read and reread, and that continues to inspire and challenge readers more than 80 years after it was written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Now: A Masterpiece by Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends surrealism, lyricism, and musicality. His poem "Poetry Now" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transcend time and space. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "Poetry Now" and understand why it is considered one of the greatest poems of the 20th century.

Themes

"Poetry Now" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. It is a tribute to the art of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of life and emotions. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry.

The first stanza is an ode to the beauty of poetry. Thomas describes poetry as "the force that through the green fuse drives the flower," which is a metaphor for the life force that drives all living things. He goes on to say that poetry is the "hand that wrote it," which suggests that poetry is not just a product of the poet's imagination but also a reflection of the world around us.

The second stanza is an exploration of the power of poetry. Thomas describes poetry as a "spell" that can transport us to different worlds and times. He says that poetry can "make a stone stony," which means that it can give life to inanimate objects. He also says that poetry can "make a clock tick," which suggests that poetry can control time and space.

The third stanza is a call to action for poets. Thomas urges poets to "dance in the dark streets," which means that they should not be afraid to express themselves and their ideas. He also says that poets should "blow the proud trumpets," which means that they should be bold and confident in their writing. Finally, he says that poets should "ring the bells," which means that they should celebrate their art and share it with the world.

Structure

"Poetry Now" is a free verse poem that does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. However, it has a musical quality that is achieved through the use of repetition, alliteration, and assonance. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different tone and rhythm.

The first stanza has a slow and meditative rhythm that reflects the beauty of nature. The repetition of the phrase "drives my green age" creates a sense of continuity and growth. The alliteration of "force that through the green fuse drives the flower" creates a musical quality that is reminiscent of a lullaby.

The second stanza has a more urgent and dramatic rhythm that reflects the power of poetry. The repetition of the phrase "and I am dumb" creates a sense of awe and wonder. The alliteration of "make a stone stony" and "make a clock tick" creates a sense of magic and mystery.

The third stanza has a celebratory and triumphant rhythm that reflects the call to action for poets. The repetition of the phrase "ring the bells" creates a sense of joy and excitement. The alliteration of "dance in the dark streets" and "blow the proud trumpets" creates a sense of rebellion and defiance.

Language

"Poetry Now" is a poem that is rich in imagery and metaphor. Thomas uses language that is both simple and complex, which creates a sense of depth and meaning. He uses metaphors to describe poetry and its power, which makes the poem more accessible and relatable.

For example, Thomas describes poetry as "the force that through the green fuse drives the flower," which is a metaphor for the life force that drives all living things. He also describes poetry as a "spell" that can transport us to different worlds and times. These metaphors create a sense of wonder and mystery that is essential to the theme of the poem.

Thomas also uses repetition and alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem. For example, he repeats the phrase "and I am dumb" in the second stanza, which creates a sense of awe and wonder. He also uses alliteration in phrases like "blow the proud trumpets" and "dance in the dark streets," which creates a sense of rhythm and energy.

Conclusion

"Poetry Now" is a masterpiece by Dylan Thomas that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. The first stanza is an ode to the beauty of poetry, the second stanza is an exploration of the power of poetry, and the third stanza is a call to action for poets.

The poem has a musical quality that is achieved through the use of repetition, alliteration, and assonance. The language is rich in imagery and metaphor, which creates a sense of depth and meaning. Overall, "Poetry Now" is a timeless poem that captures the essence of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space.

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