'O Make Me A Mask' by Dylan Thomas


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O make me a mask and a wall to shut from your spies
Of the sharp, enamelled eyes and the spectacled claws
Rape and rebellion in the nurseries of my face,
Gag of dumbstruck tree to block from bare enemies
The bayonet tongue in this undefended prayerpiece,
The present mouth, and the sweetly blown trumpet of lies,
Shaped in old armour and oak the countenance of a dunce
To shield the glistening brain and blunt the examiners,
And a tear-stained widower grief drooped from the lashes
To veil belladonna and let the dry eyes perceive
Others betray the lamenting lies of their losses
By the curve of the nude mouth or the laugh up the sleeve.

Editor 1 Interpretation

O Make Me A Mask by Dylan Thomas: A Critical Interpretation

Introduction

O Make Me A Mask is a poem by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. It was published in 1946 as part of his collection, Deaths and Entrances. The poem is a complex and enigmatic work that has puzzled and fascinated readers and critics since its publication. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine O Make Me A Mask in detail and attempt to unravel its meanings and significance.

Analysis

Structure

O Make Me A Mask is a lyric poem consisting of four stanzas of varying lengths. The poem does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme, but it has a musical quality that is typical of Thomas's poetry. The poem is characterized by its rich and dense language and its use of metaphor and symbolism.

Theme

The theme of O Make Me A Mask is the search for identity and the desire to escape from the constraints of society and the self. The poem explores the tension between the desire for individuality and the need for social conformity. The speaker of the poem longs to be someone else, to shed his own identity and become someone new. He asks for a mask to hide his true self and create a new persona.

Imagery

The imagery in O Make Me A Mask is rich and complex. The poem is full of metaphors and symbols that convey the speaker's sense of confusion and longing. The mask is a central image in the poem, representing the desire to hide one's true identity and become someone else. The poem also makes use of imagery from nature, particularly the sea and the sky. These images suggest the vastness and mystery of the universe and the possibility of transcendence.

Language

The language of O Make Me A Mask is dense and allusive, typical of Thomas's poetry. The poem makes use of archaic and obscure words, such as "quintessential," "suspiral," and "eldritch." These words contribute to the poem's sense of mystery and obscurity. The poem also makes use of repetition and alliteration, such as "O make me a mask" and "sea-cold sky."

Tone

The tone of O Make Me A Mask is melancholy and yearning. The speaker of the poem is filled with a sense of longing and dissatisfaction with his own identity. The poem conveys a sense of existential angst and the desire for transcendence. The mask represents a way of escaping from the limitations of the self and the social world.

Interpretation

O Make Me A Mask is a complex and enigmatic poem that resists easy interpretation. However, there are several possible ways of understanding its meanings and significance.

The Mask as a Metaphor for Identity

One possible interpretation of O Make Me A Mask is that the mask represents the speaker's desire to escape from his own identity and become someone else. The mask is a way of hiding his true self and creating a new persona. The speaker may be dissatisfied with his own identity and long for something different, something more exciting or glamorous. The mask represents the possibility of transformation and the desire for a new life.

The Mask as a Metaphor for Social Conformity

Another possible interpretation of O Make Me A Mask is that the mask represents the pressure to conform to social expectations. The speaker may feel that he is trapped by social norms and conventions and long for a way to break free. The mask represents a way of hiding his true identity and conforming to social expectations. The speaker may feel that he is not free to be himself and long for a way to escape from the constraints of society.

The Sea and the Sky as Symbols of Transcendence

A third possible interpretation of O Make Me A Mask is that the sea and the sky represent the possibility of transcendence. The sea and the sky are vast and mysterious, suggesting the possibility of something beyond the self and the social world. The speaker may be longing for a way to escape from the limitations of his own identity and the social world and transcend to something greater. The mask represents a way of hiding his true identity and becoming someone new, someone who is able to transcend the limitations of the self and the social world.

Conclusion

O Make Me A Mask is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores themes of identity, social conformity, and transcendence. The poem is characterized by its rich and dense language and its use of metaphor and symbolism. The mask is a central image in the poem, representing the desire to hide one's true identity and become someone else. The sea and the sky represent the possibility of transcendence and escape from the limitations of the self and the social world. O Make Me A Mask is a powerful and haunting poem that continues to fascinate and puzzle readers and critics alike.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry O Make Me A Mask: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his unique style of writing that combines vivid imagery, musicality, and a sense of mysticism. His poem "Poetry O Make Me A Mask" is a prime example of his poetic genius. This poem is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the nature of poetry, the role of the poet, and the relationship between the poet and the reader. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry directly, asking it to "make me a mask" that will allow him to "ride the seas" and "fly with the breezes." The mask is a metaphor for the poet's ability to transform himself and his surroundings through the power of language. The speaker wants to be able to escape from his mundane existence and experience the world in a new and exciting way. He wants to be able to see the world through the eyes of a poet, to experience its beauty and wonder in a way that is not possible for ordinary people.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the work. It is full of vivid imagery and musical language that creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. The use of alliteration and repetition in lines such as "O make me a mask" and "O let me be" creates a sense of urgency and desire. The speaker is eager to experience the world in a new way, and he is calling on poetry to help him do so.

The second stanza of the poem explores the relationship between the poet and the reader. The speaker asks poetry to "make me a mask" that will allow him to "speak with tongues of the dead." This is a reference to the idea that poetry can transcend time and space, allowing the poet to communicate with people who are no longer alive. The speaker wants to be able to connect with the past and the future through the power of poetry.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most complex and enigmatic. The speaker asks poetry to "make me a mask" that will allow him to "beauty gaze." This is a reference to the idea that poetry can reveal the beauty and wonder of the world in a way that is not possible for ordinary people. The speaker wants to be able to see the world in a new way, to experience its beauty and wonder in a way that is not possible for ordinary people.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a continuation of the third, exploring the idea that poetry can reveal the hidden truths of the world. The speaker asks poetry to "make me a mask" that will allow him to "truth behold." This is a reference to the idea that poetry can reveal the hidden truths of the world in a way that is not possible for ordinary people. The speaker wants to be able to see the world in a new way, to experience its truth and beauty in a way that is not possible for ordinary people.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a conclusion to the work, summing up the speaker's desire to experience the world in a new way through the power of poetry. The speaker asks poetry to "make me a mask" that will allow him to "ride life's hum." This is a reference to the idea that poetry can help us to experience the world in a more profound and meaningful way. The speaker wants to be able to ride the waves of life, to experience its joys and sorrows in a way that is not possible for ordinary people.

The structure of the poem is complex and multi-layered, with each stanza building on the themes and ideas of the previous one. The use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of musicality and rhythm that adds to the poem's overall impact. The language of the poem is rich and evocative, full of vivid imagery and metaphors that create a sense of wonder and excitement.

In conclusion, "Poetry O Make Me A Mask" is a masterpiece of Dylan Thomas's poetic genius. It explores the nature of poetry, the role of the poet, and the relationship between the poet and the reader. The poem is full of vivid imagery, musical language, and complex themes that create a sense of wonder and excitement. It is a work that speaks to the power of poetry to transform our lives and our understanding of the world.

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