Do not go gentle into that good night [Rage against the dying of the light]

Poem

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.


-- Dylan Thomas --

About

“Do not go gentle into that good night” is one of Dylan Thomas’s most famous and enduring poems. Written in 1951, the poem is a villanelle, a traditional form that features a specific rhyme scheme and repetition of lines. It was written around the time of his blind father’s death.

The poem expresses the idea that one should not accept death passively, but should fight against it with all of one’s strength. The speaker urges his father to “not go gentle into that good night” and instead to “rage, rage against the dying of the light.” The repetition of the lines emphasizes the urgency and intensity of the speaker’s plea.

The poem is written in a highly emotive and expressive style, which is characteristic of Dylan Thomas’s work. It is a powerful and moving tribute to the human spirit, urging readers to embrace life and to make the most of the time they have. It continues to be widely read and studied, and its message of defiance in the face of death resonates with readers to this day.

The theme of the poem is defiance, which may suit some circumstances, others may prefer to go gently, to approach death in peace.

In Popular Culture

• Interstellar movie, the poem is quoted by Dr Mann, played by Michael Caine.
• Independence Day movie, the poem is quoted by the President, played by Bill Pullman.
• Back to School movie. Rodney Dangerfield gives an unexpectedly inspirational reading of the poem.
• Call of Duty 3, video game – a character says that the Germans “will not go quietly into that good night”.
• Igor Stravinsky wrote “In memoriam Dylan Thomas: Dirge canons and song” based on “Do not go gentle into that good night”.
• Welsh musician John Cale put the poem to music on his 1989 album “Words for the Dying”, along with a number of other Thomas poems.
• The poem has been quoted in Dr Who, by the Eighth Doctor, and in the Twelfth Doctor series.

Author

Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet and playwright born on October 27, 1914 in Swansea, Wales. He is considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century, known for his lyrical and imaginative use of language.

He began writing poetry at a young age and published his first book, “18 Poems,” in 1934. He went on to publish several more books of poetry, including “The Map of Love” (1939) and “Deaths and Entrances” (1946). He also wrote several plays, including “Under Milk Wood” (1954).

He gained fame and recognition for his performances of his poetry in London and New York City. His most famous poems include “Do not go gentle into that good night” and “And death shall have no dominion“.

In 1953, he embarked on a tour of America, where he gave a series of readings, but during this trip his heavy drinking caught up with him. He collapsed and died on November 9, 1953, at the age of 39, in New York City, from alcohol-related causes.