'Especially When The October Wind' by Dylan Thomas
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Especially when the October wind
With frosty fingers punishes my hair,
Caught by the crabbing sun I walk on fire
And cast a shadow crab upon the land,
By the sea's side, hearing the noise of birds,
Hearing the raven cough in winter sticks,
My busy heart who shudders as she talks
Sheds the syllabic blood and drains her words.
Shut, too, in a tower of words, I mark
On the horizon walking like the trees
The wordy shapes of women, and the rows
Of the star-gestured children in the park.
Some let me make you of the vowelled beeches,
Some of the oaken voices, from the roots
Of many a thorny shire tell you notes,
Some let me make you of the water's speeches.
Behind a post of ferns the wagging clock
Tells me the hour's word, the neural meaning
Flies on the shafted disk, declaims the morning
And tells the windy weather in the cock.
Some let me make you of the meadow's signs;
The signal grass that tells me all I know
Breaks with the wormy winter through the eye.
Some let me tell you of the raven's sins.
Especially when the October wind
(Some let me make you of autumnal spells,
The spider-tongued, and the loud hill of Wales)
With fists of turnips punishes the land,
Some let me make of you the heartless words.
The heart is drained that, spelling in the scurry
Of chemic blood, warned of the coming fury.
By the sea's side hear the dark-vowelled birds.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Especially When The October Wind: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas
If you are a lover of poetry, you must have heard of Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet who lived a short but brilliant life. His poems are known for their musicality, vivid imagery, and intense emotions. One of his most famous poems is "Especially When The October Wind."
This poem is a masterpiece of poetic art that captures the essence of autumn in a few short lines. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem and show how Thomas creates a powerful representation of the season.
Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a brief look at the background of Dylan Thomas and his poetic style. Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales, in 1914 and became a prolific poet from his teenage years. His work is known for its lyrical beauty, lush imagery, and intense emotions.
Thomas's poetry is often characterized by his use of rich, metaphorical language and his preoccupation with death and the fragility of life. His poems are full of vivid images, such as "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon," and his use of sound and rhythm creates a musical quality that is uniquely his own.
Analysis
Now, let's turn our attention to "Especially When The October Wind" and explore the poem in detail.
Form and Structure
The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and there is a strong use of alliteration throughout. The poem has a musical quality, with a rhythm that mimics the sound of the wind.
Themes
The poem explores the theme of change, particularly the changing of the seasons. It also touches on the theme of mortality, as the leaves fall from the trees and the world prepares for winter.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of vivid imagery. Thomas paints a picture of autumn in the reader's mind, using words that evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of the season.
In the first stanza, Thomas uses the image of "the stripped and shapely / Maples" to describe the trees. The use of the word "stripped" suggests that the leaves have fallen from the trees, while "shapely" implies that the trees are still beautiful without their foliage.
In the second stanza, Thomas describes the wind as "an old crone / hacking her way up the sky." The use of the word "crone" suggests an old woman, while "hacking" suggests a violent and forceful movement. This image creates a sense of power and strength associated with the wind.
In the final stanza, Thomas uses the image of "the sun that revolves around it" to describe the world. This image suggests that the world is constantly changing, and that everything is in a state of flux.
Language
Thomas's use of language in the poem is particularly striking. He uses words that are rich in meaning, and his use of alliteration and other sound devices creates a musical quality that is all his own.
In the first stanza, Thomas uses the words "stripped" and "shapely" to describe the trees. The alliteration of the "s" sound creates a smooth and flowing sound that mimics the wind.
In the second stanza, Thomas uses the phrase "hacking her way up the sky" to describe the wind. The use of the word "hacking" creates a harsh and forceful sound that mimics the sound of the wind.
In the final stanza, Thomas uses the phrase "the sun that revolves around it" to describe the world. The use of the word "revolves" creates a sense of movement and change, while the repetition of the "r" sound creates a musical quality that is characteristic of Thomas's poetry.
Interpretation
So, what is the poem really about? At first glance, it seems to be about autumn and the changing of the seasons. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is really about change in general, and the inevitability of death.
The image of the "stripped and shapely Maples" suggests that even the most beautiful things must eventually wither and die. The wind, described as an old crone, suggests that time and age are constantly moving forward, unstoppable and unrelenting.
The final image of the sun revolving around the world suggests that everything is in a state of constant change, and that nothing is ever truly static. This is a powerful reminder that we must embrace change and accept the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
"Especially When The October Wind" is a masterpiece of poetic art that captures the essence of autumn and the inevitability of change. Through vivid imagery, rich language, and a musical quality that is uniquely his own, Dylan Thomas creates a powerful representation of the season.
The poem reminds us that we must embrace change and accept the inevitability of death. It is a poignant reminder that even the most beautiful things must eventually wither and die, and that we must make the most of the time we have.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Especially When The October Wind: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his vivid and evocative descriptions of nature, which are often infused with a sense of nostalgia and longing. One of his most celebrated poems, "Especially When The October Wind," is a perfect example of his poetic style. In this poem, Thomas captures the essence of autumn, with its changing colors, falling leaves, and chilly winds. Through his words, he creates a vivid picture of the season, which is both beautiful and haunting.
The poem begins with the line, "Especially when the October wind," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "especially" suggests that there is something special about the October wind, something that sets it apart from other winds. This is a common theme in Thomas's poetry, where he often finds beauty in the ordinary and the mundane.
The first stanza of the poem describes the wind as "blowing shuddering trees." The use of the word "shuddering" suggests that the trees are afraid of the wind, which is a personification of nature. This is a common technique used by Thomas, where he gives human qualities to nature, making it more relatable and accessible to the reader. The second line of the stanza, "the breath of the night and the break of day," suggests that the wind is a transitional force, which marks the passing of time.
The second stanza of the poem describes the wind as "the ghostly hand that knocked." This line is particularly evocative, as it suggests that the wind is a supernatural force, which has the power to move things without being seen. The use of the word "ghostly" adds to this sense of mystery and intrigue. The third line of the stanza, "shouldering hills," suggests that the wind is a powerful force, which can move even the largest of objects.
The third stanza of the poem describes the wind as "the soundless hours and moments." This line suggests that the wind is a force that is both present and absent at the same time. The use of the word "soundless" suggests that the wind is a force that cannot be heard, but can only be felt. The fourth line of the stanza, "the voice of all the tides," suggests that the wind is a force that is connected to the sea, which is another common theme in Thomas's poetry.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem describes the wind as "the hollows of the afternoons." This line suggests that the wind is a force that is present in the quiet moments of the day, when everything else is still. The use of the word "hollows" suggests that the wind is a force that fills empty spaces, which is a common theme in Thomas's poetry. The final line of the poem, "when the golden hands of the sun go down," suggests that the wind is a force that marks the passing of time, and that it is intimately connected to the cycles of nature.
Overall, "Especially When The October Wind" is a masterpiece of Dylan Thomas's poetic style. Through his vivid and evocative descriptions of nature, he creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, which is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is a perfect example of Thomas's ability to find beauty in the ordinary and the mundane, and to give human qualities to nature, making it more relatable and accessible to the reader. It is a poem that captures the essence of autumn, with its changing colors, falling leaves, and chilly winds, and it is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
Developer Key Takeaways: Key takeaways from the best books, lectures, youtube videos and deep divesDeveloper Recipes: The best code snippets for completing common tasks across programming frameworks and languages
Crypto Ratings - Top rated alt coins by type, industry and quality of team: Discovery which alt coins are scams and how to tell the difference
Statistics Community: Online community discussion board for stats enthusiasts
Crypto Merchant - Crypto currency integration with shopify & Merchant crypto interconnect: Services and APIs for selling products with crypto
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Wind begun to knead the Grass by Emily Dickinson analysisNumbers by Mary Cornish analysis
Guilt and Sorrow by William Wordsworth analysis
Woman's Constancy by John Donne analysis
Israfel by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Dead Man's Dump by Isaac Rosenberg analysis
In An Artist's Studio by Christina Rossetti analysis
Acquainted With The Night by Robert Frost analysis
The Lost Mistress by Robert Browning analysis
In Neglect by Robert Frost analysis