Do not Go Gentle into that Good Night by Dylan Thomas

This is one of my favorite poems. Sometimes I think of the words, "Rage, rage against the dying of the light." It reminds me of having purpose, though life is tiring at times. Dylan Thomas poem "Do not Go Gentle into that Good Night" is a classic poem everyone should read. The imagery and message is motivating and brings about positive emotions while the onset of old age and death.

Taking place as man talks to his old and frail father, the father is giving up on life and regretting choices. The son wants him to make the most of his last days by offering examples of wise, good, wild and grave men finding the better parts of life through action or memory, "Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay." Though they could diminish their positions, they fight on, "Because their words had forked no lightning." Lamenting the Glory of God to their congregation and sharing peace in death, "Crying how bright their deeds might have danced in a green bay;" or dying suddenly at a young age, "And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way."

This poem relates to preparing for death, symbolized by "night" which is associated with "sleep," and "sleep" is a term for "death" in both Greek and Biblical passages. Despite this it encourages people, at any age, to feel purposeful and useful. Feeling necessary is what propels people forward. Death is inevitable. Having the young and old man in the portrayal heightens the message. Often the elderly have deteriorated bodies. Some may even pray for death; yet they manage to get up every day to ensure they didn't relinquish their time on earth.

For someone afraid of death; tired of living, or only focus on the struggle, life still means something. Though not seeing the purpose of their own life, they might see how they affect others. It may not be fame. Caring about people close to you is good enough. What you do is known to them and touches them powerfully? The individual life is important.

Maybe his father feels his purpose in life has lessened; however, his son recognizes his importance. He must plead with his father to stop sulking and dwelling on selfish causes and care again.

This poem has taught me that even though things seem impossible and dreams seem unreachable, never give up. Never go gentle in to the good night and do not regret any life experiences. Always struggle until the time has come to move on to the next world.

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Selected Poems 1934-1952 by Dylan Thomas