Theme analysis of the Non-African Poetry - SS3 Literature Lesson Note

Themes

In contemporary literary studies, a theme is a central topic, subject, or message within a narrative. Themes can be divided into two categories: a work’s thematic concept is what readers “think the work is about” and its thematic statement being “what the work says about the subject”. Themes are often distinguished from premises. The most common contemporary understanding of theme is an idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed in a single word (for example, love, death, betrayal). Below are themes drawn from the poem “Do not go gentle into that good night”.

1. Theme of Death

The poem “Do not go gentle into that good night” explores the theme of death through the use of metaphor. That “good night” is death, the long sleep associated with darkness and grief. This darkness is juxtaposed with the “light” of life. Though the poem is specifically composed for the dying father of the poet, Dylan Thomas, it has a universal import.

2. Theme of Ageing
Dylan Thomas also explore the theme of aging along with the team of death. He encourages the elderly to “rage, rage” against The dying of the light insisting that they should fight that I refuse to go “gentle” or easily into the 9th of death.
3. Theme of Grief
Grief is another important theme in the poem. The speaker expresses grave and dismay as he begs his dying father to live. D Good men and the wise men also express grief when they realise that death will prevent them from doing good works and seeking pleasure. This is a natural response to death.
4. Theme of Termination of Life Care and Expectancy
Another significant thing expressed in the poem is that of termination of life care and expectancy. In life, it is expected that the leaving cert take adequate care of the dead especially when they are sick because the spiritual blessings for this begins rightly from the moment of sickness to the end of life journey on Earth. It is on this ground that the poet clearly declares: “And you, my father,…/ Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Language
The poet’s choice of language for the poem is in specific form, the villanelle. It has 19 lines divided into five three lines stanzas and a sixth stanzawith four lines.
The rhyme scheme is ABA ABA ABA ABA ABA ABAA. The poet, Dylan Thomas’ ability to follow this strict and complicated form which actually works against the language he’s using, and still create such an emotional poem with an urgent feel, is truly artistic and impressive.

Setting
A setting (or backdrop) is the time and geographic location within a narrative, either non-fiction or fiction. It is a literary element. The setting initiates the main backdrop and mood for a story. The setting can be referred to as story world or milieu to include a context (especially society) beyond the immediate surroundings of the story. Elements of setting may include culture, historical period, geography, and hour. Along with the plot, character, theme, and style, setting is considered one of the fundamental components of fiction.

The poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” does not have one setting but numerous. Over the course of the poems compact 19 lines, Thomas takes us from a lingering sunset to a bolt of lightning from a green bay extending out from the sea shore to a shooting star blazing across the sky and finally to the top of a mountain. of course all of these places are metaphorical descriptions of Life death and struggle but we are starting to notice that they are all grand aspects of nature. This poem literally goes from the depth of the ocean, “green bay”, to the tallest peak, that “sad height”, and everywhere in- between. Of course the whole time we are travelling through nature, the speaker is really at the bedside of his dying father.