'Before I Knocked' by Dylan Thomas
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Before I knocked and flesh let enter,
With liquid hands tapped on the womb,
I who was as shapeless as the water
That shaped the Jordan near my home
Was brother to Mnetha's daughter
And sister to the fathering worm.I who was deaf to spring and summer,
Who knew not sun nor moon by name,
Felt thud beneath my flesh's armour,
As yet was in a molten form
The leaden stars, the rainy hammer
Swung by my father from his dome.I knew the message of the winter,
The darted hail, the childish snow,
And the wind was my sister suitor;
Wind in me leaped, the hellborn dew;
My veins flowed with the Eastern weather;
Ungotten I knew night and day.As yet ungotten, I did suffer;
The rack of dreams my lily bones
Did twist into a living cipher,
And flesh was snipped to cross the lines
Of gallow crosses on the liver
And brambles in the wringing brains.My throat knew thirst before the structure
Of skin and vein around the well
Where words and water make a mixture
Unfailing till the blood runs foul;
My heart knew love, my belly hunger;
I smelt the maggot in my stool.And time cast forth my mortal creature
To drift or drown upon the seas
Acquainted with the salt adventure
Of tides that never touch the shores.
I who was rich was made the richer
By sipping at the vine of days.I, born of flesh and ghost, was neither
A ghost nor man, but mortal ghost.
And I was struck down by death's feather.
I was a mortal to the last
Long breath that carried to my father
The message of his dying christ.You who bow down at cross and altar,
Remember me and pity Him
Who took my flesh and bone for armour
And doublecrossed my mother's womb.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Criticism of Dylan Thomas’ “Before I Knocked”
As a poet of the modernist movement, Dylan Thomas has become an important figure in the canon of literature. One of his most famous poems, “Before I Knocked,” is a work that reflects the poet's style of using dense language and complex imagery to convey his themes. The poem, written in 1934, explores the themes of anxiety, fear, and the struggle for self-expression. In this literary criticism, I will explore the language, form, and themes of “Before I Knocked” to provide a deeper understanding of its meaning.
Language
Thomas uses dense language in “Before I Knocked” to create a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. The poem begins with the line, “Before I knocked and flesh let enter,” which immediately establishes a sense of separation between the speaker and the world around him. This separation is reinforced in the second stanza, where the speaker describes “the lightening of the moods” as “the death of the man” and “the birth of the sea.” Here, Thomas uses language to suggest the speaker's fear of change and the inability to express himself.
Another instance of Thomas’ use of dense language can be found in the third stanza, where he writes, “The words are purposes. The words are maps.” Here, the poet suggests that language is a tool for understanding the world, but it is also something that can be used to manipulate others. This creates a sense of unease and distrust that is central to the speaker's anxiety.
Form
The form of “Before I Knocked” is also integral to its meaning. The poem consists of nine stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is irregular, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This creates a sense of instability and unpredictability that reflects the speaker's anxiety and fear.
Additionally, the poem is divided into three sections, each with three stanzas. The first section establishes the speaker's sense of separation from the world, the second section explores the beauty and danger of language, and the third section reflects on the inevitability of change. This structure adds to the sense of uncertainty and anxiety that permeates the poem.
Themes
The themes of anxiety, fear, and the struggle for self-expression are central to “Before I Knocked.” The poem explores the speaker's fear of change and the struggle to find his place in the world. The first stanza establishes the speaker's fear of entering the world, suggesting that he is afraid of change and the unknown.
The second stanza explores the beauty and danger of language. The speaker suggests that language is a tool for understanding the world, but it can also be used to manipulate others. This creates a sense of unease that is central to the speaker's anxiety.
The third stanza reflects on the inevitability of change. The speaker suggests that everything is in a state of constant flux, and that nothing remains the same. This creates a sense of uncertainty and fear that reflects the speaker's anxiety about the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Before I Knocked” is a complex and dense poem that explores the themes of anxiety, fear, and the struggle for self-expression. Thomas uses language and form to create a sense of unease and uncertainty that reflects the speaker's anxiety. The poem is divided into three sections, each exploring a different aspect of the speaker's anxiety. Through its exploration of language, the poem suggests that words are both powerful tools for understanding the world and dangerous weapons that can be used to manipulate others. Overall, “Before I Knocked” is a powerful work that captures the essence of modernist poetry and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Before I Knocked: A Masterpiece by Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his vivid imagery and musical language. His poem "Poetry Before I Knocked" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and the creative process. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its significance and impact.
Themes
The central theme of "Poetry Before I Knocked" is the power of imagination and creativity. The poem is a reflection on the poet's journey of discovering his voice and the role of poetry in his life. The opening lines, "I was a poet before I knew it" suggest that poetry is not just a profession or a hobby, but a calling that comes from within. The poet describes how he used to "scribble and blot" on paper, trying to capture the elusive essence of poetry. The act of writing becomes a way of exploring the world and expressing one's innermost thoughts and feelings.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of transformation. The poet describes how he was "a boy who played with words" but became a man who "made them work." This transformation is not just about growing up or gaining experience, but about the power of poetry to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The poet's words become a vehicle for his imagination, taking him to places he could never have imagined before.
Structure
The structure of "Poetry Before I Knocked" is simple yet effective. The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third stanzas are identical, while the second stanza is slightly different. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, reinforcing the idea of transformation and growth.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the poet reflecting on his early experiences with poetry. The second stanza is the turning point, where the poet describes how he discovered the power of poetry to transform his world. The third stanza brings the poem full circle, with the poet reaffirming his commitment to poetry and the creative process.
Language
The language of "Poetry Before I Knocked" is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and musical rhythms. The poet uses a range of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, the opening line, "I was a poet before I knew it" is a paradox that captures the essence of the poem. The poet was always a poet, even before he knew what poetry was.
The use of metaphor is also prominent in the poem. The poet describes how he used to "play with words like a child with a box of bricks" and how he later learned to "build with them." This metaphor suggests that poetry is not just about playing with words, but about using them to create something new and meaningful.
The use of repetition is another key feature of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "I was a poet before I knew it" creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea of the poet's calling. The repetition of the word "work" in the second stanza also creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, suggesting that the poet's creative process is both hard work and a labor of love.
Conclusion
"Poetry Before I Knocked" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and the creative process. The poem is a reflection on the power of imagination and transformation, and the role of poetry in shaping our lives. The structure and language of the poem are simple yet effective, creating a sense of symmetry and balance that reinforces the themes of growth and transformation. Dylan Thomas's "Poetry Before I Knocked" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to inspire and transform us.
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