'Not From This Anger' by Dylan Thomas

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Not from this anger, anticlimax after
Refusal struck her loin and the lame flower
Bent like a beast to lap the singular floods
In a land strapped by hunger
Shall she receive a bellyful of weeds
And bear those tendril hands I touch across
The agonized, two seas.
Behind my head a square of sky sags over
The circular smile tossed from lover to lover
And the golden ball spins out of the skies;
Not from this anger after
Refusal struck like a bell under water
Shall her smile breed that mouth, behind the mirror,
That burns along my eyes.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Not From This Anger by Dylan Thomas: A Critical Interpretation

Wow, Dylan Thomas! The mere mention of his name brings to mind the deep, complex, and beautiful poetry that he left behind. "Poetry, Not From This Anger" is one of his most famous works, and for good reason. In this essay, we will explore the many layers of this poem, interpreting it through a critical lens and examining the themes, language, and literary devices used by the author.

Background

"Poetry, Not From This Anger" was published in 1939, during a time of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The world was on the brink of war, and many artists were using their work to make a statement about the state of the world. Thomas was no exception. He was known for his anti-fascist views and his belief in the power of poetry to change the world. In this poem, he speaks out against the anger and hatred that was prevalent in society at the time, and calls for a different kind of poetry, one that is not born out of anger.

Theme

The central theme of "Poetry, Not From This Anger" is the transformative power of poetry. Thomas believes that poetry can change the world, but only if it is written from a place of love, not anger. He writes, "Poetry, not from this fury, / Not from these sped arrows / Of rage, of stark moods / But from the slower blood / That is not stirred, whose calm / Is in artifice or slow deposit."

In this passage, Thomas is saying that poetry should not be fueled by anger or hatred. Instead, it should come from a deeper, more contemplative place. He believes that poetry should be a reflection of the world as it could be, not as it is. By writing poetry that is not born out of anger, Thomas believes that poets can help to create a more peaceful and just society.

Language

One of the most striking things about "Poetry, Not From This Anger" is the language that Thomas uses. He has a unique style that is both beautiful and complex. In this poem, he uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message.

One of the most notable devices that Thomas uses is repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats certain phrases and words, such as "not from this anger" and "slow deposit." This repetition serves to emphasize the central themes of the poem and to create a sense of continuity.

Thomas also uses imagery to great effect in this poem. He writes, "Not from the sack of the lungs, / Not from fury leaving the bones burned / But from the weld of hand and mind / Tiptoeing trickle of tears, / The breezes cool at dawn / That makes the heart bird sing." This passage is full of vivid imagery, such as the "sack of the lungs" and the "tiptoeing trickle of tears." These images serve to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem.

Literary Devices

In addition to repetition and imagery, Thomas uses a variety of other literary devices in "Poetry, Not From This Anger." One example is alliteration. He writes, "Not from these clashing times, / This tide's tooth and arrowstorm / But from the slow pull of the earth." In this passage, the repetition of the "t" sound creates a sense of urgency and tension.

Thomas also uses metaphor to great effect in this poem. He writes, "Not from this anger, wrenching hands / And crimped guns are squeezed into the frame / But from such simple things as a toothbrush / Or a shoe that rested on a sill." In this passage, Thomas is saying that poetry should not be about the violence and anger that is so prevalent in society. Instead, it should be about the simple things in life, the things that bring us joy and happiness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Not From This Anger" is a powerful and complex piece of poetry that speaks to the transformative power of art. Thomas believes that poetry can change the world, but only if it is written from a place of love and contemplation. Through his use of repetition, imagery, and metaphor, he creates a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

As a reader, it is impossible not to be moved by the passion and conviction in Thomas's words. He reminds us that, even in the darkest of times, there is still hope. Hope for a better world, a more peaceful world, a world that is built on love instead of anger. And for that reason, "Poetry, Not From This Anger" is a timeless work of literature that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Not From This Anger: A Masterpiece by Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends surrealism, romanticism, and modernism. His poem, "Poetry Not From This Anger," is a masterpiece that showcases his poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.

The poem begins with the line, "Poetry, not from this anger, not from this rage." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, which is a rejection of anger and rage as sources of inspiration for poetry. Thomas believes that poetry should come from a place of love and beauty, not from negative emotions.

The first stanza of the poem describes the beauty of nature. Thomas writes, "The breeze discovering itself in flowers, / The dewdrops whispering to the camomile." These lines paint a vivid picture of a peaceful and serene natural environment. The use of personification in "the breeze discovering itself in flowers" and "the dewdrops whispering to the camomile" adds a touch of surrealism to the poem.

In the second stanza, Thomas contrasts the beauty of nature with the ugliness of war. He writes, "Not from the war, but from the peace / That sang in the silence of the night." Here, Thomas is saying that poetry should not come from the violence and destruction of war but from the peace that can be found in the quiet moments of life.

The third stanza of the poem is a tribute to the power of love. Thomas writes, "Not from the love that was born in the cradle, / But from the love that dies with the dead." This line is a reference to the eternal nature of love. Thomas believes that true love transcends death and that poetry should be inspired by this kind of love.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a rejection of materialism. Thomas writes, "Not from the moneyed contempt of the exploiters, / But from the hand that blesses them that hate." Here, Thomas is saying that poetry should not come from the greed and selfishness of the wealthy but from the generosity and kindness of those who are willing to help others.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Thomas writes, "Let the bird of loudest lay / On the sole Arabian tree / Herald sad and trumpet be." This line is a reference to the mythical bird, the Phoenix, which is said to rise from the ashes. Thomas is saying that poetry should be a force for change, a way to rise above the negativity and destruction of the world.

The structure of the poem is unique. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, while the second and fourth lines do not. This structure gives the poem a musical quality, which is enhanced by the use of alliteration and assonance.

Thomas uses a variety of literary devices in this poem. Personification, as mentioned earlier, is used to give nature a voice and personality. Alliteration is used to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, Thomas writes, "The breeze discovering itself in flowers." The repetition of the "s" sound creates a sense of movement and flow.

Assonance is also used in the poem. For example, in the second stanza, Thomas writes, "Not from the war, but from the peace / That sang in the silence of the night." The repetition of the "o" sound in "not," "from," "war," "but," "peace," and "sang" creates a sense of harmony and unity.

In conclusion, "Poetry Not From This Anger" is a masterpiece by Dylan Thomas that showcases his poetic genius. The poem is a rejection of anger and negativity as sources of inspiration for poetry and a call to action for poets to use their words to create positive change in the world. The structure and literary devices used in the poem give it a musical quality that enhances its message. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, uplift, and transform.

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