There is only one enduring happiness in life, and that is to live with meaning, leaving a positive impact on others. Michel de Montaigne, a French writer, and philosopher, once said: “The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them.” The poems “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,” by Dylan Thomas, and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost, both compliment each other, by exploring the idea that humans should attempt to live life to its fullest. The themes of the two poems are similar, explaining that death is impending, and rather than taking for granted the time one has on earth, one should either show the courage to face death or, realize that death can wait. With this, both poems establish …show more content…
Although life is full of numerous hardships, promises, and commitments, attempting to live life to its fullest will help people not to rage against the dying of the light. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” explains that all humans will die, and potentially rage against their death due to the facts that they feel as if their mark has not fully been left upon the face of the earth. “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” compliments this in stating that life is filled with duties that must be completed, however in this we must also find the time to leave an impact, as one day, death will occur. Thomas uses a series of repetition, metaphors and similes to express his ideas, while Frost uses alliterations, personification, and exaggerations to bring forth his ideas in the poem. The character in Frost’s poem accepts death, but is inclined to live for promises, giving little insight to what is truly important in life. On the contrary, Thomas’s characters have fallen through all the stages of life, and realize that they have spent a whole lifetime, focusing on what is not important. Now, facing death, they realize that they have left no mark and plead for more life. Therefore, characters analyzed in both Frost’s and Thomas’s poems, choose the alternative of life to death, however for conflicting reasons. They both realize that in order to have a peaceful death, you must live a meaningful life. As has been noted, death, the tragedy of life, is not what causes men to rage, it is rather the opportunities missed during life causing such
Overall, dwell on this process of changing throughout the poem, it can be understood that the poet is demonstrating a particular attitude towards life. Everyone declines and dies eventually, but it would be better to embrace an optimistic, opened mind than a pessimistic, giving-up attitude; face the approach of death unflinchingly, calmly.
An unknown author once wrote “Never take life too seriously; after all, no one gets out of it alive”. When reading this quote, there can almost be an immediate connection between two very good works of writing: Macbeth’s “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” speech from Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, and the poem “Out, Out --” by Robert Frost. Both allude to the idea that a single life, in its totality, denotes nothing, and eventually, everyone’s candle of life is blown out. However, each poet approaches this idea from opposite perspectives. Frost writes of a young, innocent boy whose life ends suddenly and unexpectedly. His poem is dry and lacks emotion from anyone except the young boy. Whereas the demise of Shakespeare’s character, Macbeth, an evil man, has been anticipated throughout the entire play. Through these writings, we are able gather a little more insight as to how these poets perhaps felt about dying and life itself.
Secondly, Thomas brings into action images of "burn" and "rave at close of day" to show and emphasize the resistance towards death. Contrasting images of light and darkness in the poem create warmth of living and the coldness of death, so as to discourage people from choosing the dreary, bitter frigidity of death.
In the first instance, death is portrayed as a “bear” (2) that reaches out seasonally. This is then followed by a man whom “ comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse / / to buy me…” This ever-changing persona that encapsulates death brings forth a curiosity about death and its presence in the living world. In the second stanza, “measles-pox” (6) is an illness used to portray death’s existence in a distinctive embodiment. This uncertainty creates the illusion of warmth and welcomenesss and is further demonstrated through the reproduction of death as an eminent figure. Further inspection allows the reader to understand death as a swift encounter. The quick imagery brought forth by words such as “snaps” and “shut” provoke a sense of startle in which the audience may dispel any idea of expectedness in death’s coming. This essential idea of apparent arrival transitions to a slower, foreseeable fate where one can imagine the enduring pain experienced “an iceberg between shoulder blades” (line 8). This shift characterizes the constant adaptation in appearance that death acquires. Moreover, the idea of warmth radiating from death’s presence reemerges with the introduction to a “cottage of darkness” (line 10), which to some may bring about a feeling of pleasantry and comfort. It is important to note that line 10 was the sole occurrence of a rhetorical question that the speaker
...ther should be traveling into the light, and not into the darkness. Thomas should not be scared of death, yet he questions it in most of his poetry. He is angry at death and believes that the only place with light is in this world. He may be saying that light is life. Life is happiness. Is death then age and unhappiness? The last quatrain of this Villanelle describes his father on top of the list of men facing death. Thomas curses himself for wanting his father to fight even though he sees his suffering, yet he is not ready to let go of his father. He begs his father to fight death.
The poem “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening”, by Robert Frost, is a short, yet intricate poem. What appears to be simple is not simple at all. What appears to be innocent is really not. The woods seem pristine and unimposing, however, they are described as being “dark and deep”, and it is the “darkest evening of the year”. He speaks of isolation, “between the woods and frozen lake” and of duty “But I have promises to keep”. And also, Frost’s usage of “sleep” easily implies death. Though this poem might come off at first to be nice and peaceful, however, that peace has an underlying menace.
In poetry, death is referred as the end of literature and it is associated with feeling of sorrows. However Emily Dickinson demonstrates that death is not the end of literature or feeling of sadness but death is a new element of inspiration in poetry and is the beginning of a new chapter in our life. In the poem ‘’Because I Could Not Stop for Death’, she discusses the encounter of a women with death, who passed away centuries ago. Dickenson uses metaphors and similes to show that the process of dying can be an enjoyable moment by appreciating the good moments in life, and by respecting death rather than fearing it. Also Dickinson portrays death in a humorous way as she compares it to man seducing her to go to her death as well, to childhood games that show the innocence of this encounter (Bloom). The poem is a reflection of how unpredictable death can be. Death is a scary process in life that should not be feared because it should be celebrate as new start.
Predominantly the poem offers a sense of comfort and wisdom, against the fear and pain associated with death. Bryant shows readers not to agonize over dying, in fact, he writes, "When thoughts of the last bitter hour come like a blight over thy spirit, and sad images of the stern agony, and shroud, and pall, and breathless darkness, and the narrow house, make thee to shudder, and grow sick at heart -- go forth under the open sky, and list to Nature 's teachings." With this it eludes each person face their own death, without fright, to feel isolated and alone in death but to find peace in knowing that every person before had died and all those after will join in death (Krupat and Levine
Many people find it hard to imagine their death as there are so many questions to be answered-how will it happen, when, where and what comes next. The fact that our last days on Earth is unknown makes the topic of death a popular one for most poets who looks to seek out their own emotions. By them doing that it helps the reader make sense of their own emotions as well. In the two poems “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by Emily Dickenson and “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas, the poets are both capturing their emotion about death and the way that they accepted it. In Dickenson’s poem her feelings towards death are more passionate whereas in Dylan’s poem the feelings
Robert Frost, well known American poet of 191 poems, has a common message in his writing. Focusing mainly on Birches, The Road Not Taken, Dust of Snow, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Beech, Come In, and In Winter In, his main message is to always focus on the positive when everything else is trying to pull you down. This idea could also be seen as trying to always keep a positive attitude. The thesis above can be proven through a textual analysis.
Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", seems to be a simple story of a man and his horse. It portrays beautiful imagery with an enjoyable rhythm and rhyming scheme. Taking a second look at this poem may bring a more complex curiosity about what Frost is exactly trying to achieve through his words. It is apparent in the breakdown of the poem that new meanings and revelations are to be found. This is seen by relating almost all of his statements to each stanza and line. Robert Frost's aesthetic philosophy about "Stopping by Woods" gives a more penetrating view into his work.
When discussing the different aspects of New Criticism in Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do Not Go Gentle into The Good Night”, the impression that comes to mind is death. The use of imagery was a necessity for Dylan Thomas to express the different techniques of writing which involved a mixture of surrealistic and metaphysical tones. His ability to change a words meaning to incorporate symbolism is noticeable in circle of unity from life to death and renewed life.
Poetry is a lyrical way of expressing the writer’s deepest emotions and connecting with the reader, engaging the audience to internalise their own lives and find the meaning of life. Robert Frost became one of the greatest American poets because he was able to do this. His belief that human society was often chaotic and stressful and that the meaning of life is elusive, has been promoted in his poetry. He looked to the metaphor - nature, whose undying beauty and simplicity did not force him into a strict, moulded society, but represented freedom from life and its constant stresses of family and work. Robert Frost’s beliefs are reflected in the poems in this anthology, so read the following verse and find yourself questioning your own life and the meaning of it. Lose yourself in some of the best poems written by one of the best poets in the world.
Both poets, in these works and many others, display a fascination with the death of themselves as well as the death of peers, and loved ones. Both Frost and Dickinson experienced a great deal of death throughout each of their lives. Frost’s greatest loss was the death of his son, which is greatly depicted in his poem “Home Burial.” Dickinson suffered the loss of many friends and family. She spent a lot of her time in her room looking out upon the headstones of these people.
The title of Robert Frost’s lyric poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, conjures mental imagery of a remote country lane with a nearby wood. They are filled with increasing shadows as the last light of day fades away. Snow falls gently and quietly upon the landscape, inviting a traveler to stop for a moment to view the scenery beside him. This carefully worded title paints a clear picture of the setting in which the poem takes place. Although the imagery and its associated feelings will be different for each reader, the title suggests taking time to put aside other endeavors for a brief moment to enjoy a spectacle of nature. The sound effects within the poem itself build upon the title as the situation unfolds, creating a light-hearted atmosphere indicative of a pleasant experience. Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” uses meter, rhyme scheme, alliteration, and repetition to set the mood throughout the poem’s four stanzas.