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Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night

by Dylan Thomas

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Student Question

What examples of consonance and assonance can be found in lines 1 and 2?

Quick answer:

In lines 1 and 2, consonance is evident in the repeated "g" sounds in "go," "good," "gentle," and "age." Assonance appears in the repeated "o" sounds in "old," "of," "close," "do," and "go," as well as the "i" sound in "in" and "night." These sound patterns enhance the poem's rhythm and mood.

Expert Answers

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Consonance can be seen in the repeated "g" sounds:
Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

G sounds are found in go, good, and age, and a different g in gentle.

Assonance can be found in the repeated/related vowel sounds—the o of old, of, close, the o of do and go, the i of in and night.

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