abstract illustration of a human figure raging against a dark environment

Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night

by Dylan Thomas

Start Free Trial

Editor's Choice

Where is imagery used in "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" and are there any metaphors?

Quick answer:

Imagery and metaphors in "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" make abstract concepts like death tangible. The "good night" and "light" are metaphors for death and life, respectively. Visual images, such as "frail deeds" dancing in a green bay and wild men "catching and singing the sun," enhance the poem's vividness. The father's "sad height" metaphorically represents his proximity to death.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Dylan Thomas's title itself is metaphoric for his plea to his dying father; in this title and refrain, Thomas urges his father to affirm life until the very last breath: "Do Not Go Gentle into the Night."

In the first stanza, Thomas uses the images of fire and light also as metaphors for passion as he writes metaphorically that "old age" should burn and rave "at the close of day," a metaphor for an intense resistance to the end of life.

In the second stanza, death is difficult for "wise men," the intellectuals who accept it, but their work is not finished, so they do not wish to die.  Their "lightning" is the image for their works that light up minds:

Because their words had forked no lightning they...

The third stanza contains the metaphor of "good men," men who have lived sensible lives, "the last wave" ; that is, the last sensible men who are the final ones to face death, and, in so doing, they also wave goodbye.  They are "crying how bright/Their frail deed might have danced."  The image of crying is the sound of bemoaning as well as their calling out to be the last to face death.

Contrasted to the sensible men are the "Wild men" in the fourth stanza who "caught and sang the sun in flight."  This image is powerful and ebullient compared to the frail deeds of others.  But, these men, too, albeit filled with passion, will succumb to death.

In the fifth stanza, the image of "grave" is also dual, as it means "serious" as well as the shoveled earth for the coffin. Yet, although they may be blind, they can perceive more than others and "blaze like meteors," an image most bright.While the refrain underscores the passion suggested in the previous stanza there are contrasting images here:  light/dark,  blind/sight, and grave/gay.

In the final stanza, the image of "fierce tears" suggests the inevitability of death (tears), until their resistance to death up to the very end (fierce).

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial