The play had various titles before this was settled on, as it was thought to be more appealing to American audiences. The name of the village which is at the heart of the play—Llareggub—was originally part of the title, and although it might appear to be a Welsh name, it’s actually a play on words. When read backward, it is a phrase from British English meaning "nothing at all." The setting for the story is the fictional Welsh seaside village of Llaggerub, as well as peoples' homes, the pub, the shop, and the church. Place is vital to the play, and the sea especially is ever-present. 

The Milk Wood of the title, a wooded area in the hills above the village, has different significance and meanings for different characters. In the Reverend’s eyes, it exemplified the innocence of man. For Jack Black, who loves to torment couples on romantic excursions, it is a place that represents sin. For lovers seeking to evade the public eye, it is a paradise: Mary Ann Sailors thinks of it as the Garden of Eden. Milk Wood, therefore, becomes a different place depending on the person. Milk Wood is in the eye of the beholder—each townsperson projects a story onto the secluded woods that represents their own state of life. Jack Black clearly sees these romantic escapes as dishonest and distasteful. For him, Milk Wood’s seclusion is dangerous to the society of Llareggub. For Mary Ann Sailors, it is the Garden of Eden. Mr. Ward and Polly, though, see Milk Wood’s secrecy as a place to be authentic to their romance. Of course, this is not to condone their affair. Instead, it is to point out that their opinions of the same, neutral location differ drastically based upon what they gain from it. 

There is great symbolism in the juxtaposition between Milk Wood as a place of “sin” versus the Garden of Eden. While sin is present in the biblical story of Adam and Eve, Jack Black and Mary Ann Sailors have chosen to focus on different pieces of the religious tale. To focus on the garden itself emphasizes the abundance and plenty associated with creation. The sinful aspect of the garden—Satan’s temptation and the forbidden fruit—stands out to Jack Black. The same story is interpreted and applied differently. Perhaps Thomas is emphasizing the subjective nature of events and stories we tell. We reveal ourselves when we latch onto particular parts of a narrative.

This play is rich in evocative language, often playful and surreal. Consider the use of imagery, the poetry of the piece, and the way the voices are interwoven to build up a tapestry of thoughts and actions. Humor and comedy are important to the effect and intentions of the play, evidenced by the name of the town being equated to “bugger all.” The town name, too, reveals the cyclical nature of life in Llareggub. Its inhabitants dream, wake, daydream, then repeat the cycle all over again. There is no protagonist, only a mosaic of characters whose lives are never delved into deeply. A good amount of action occurs in the play—but nothing is “climactic” by any means. In this sense, “bugger all” does happen. The town has not been altered in a substantial way and neither have its residents.