Wisnu Raja

Mr. Flake
Honors English 12
September 15, 2015
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
In Do Not Go Gentle Into The Good Night by Dylan Thomas,
we see his use of metaphors and connotation highlight the message
of living life to the fullest, and always put up a fight when facing
death. The emphasis in the tone and repetition is to created bring
hope and inspire people in reminding them that life is short, in
particular for Thomass father.
Thomass use of connotation is the most prominent poetic
device in the poem. For instance, in the first two stanzas his choice
of opposing words like light to dark and day to night, is a
connation referring to life opposing to death. To not go gentle into
that good night suggests that one should not accept death so
easily, it only weakens them even more. Therefor, the sign of death
should cause a rage against the dying of the light. The emphasis
to fight against death is advised for one to fulfill their purpose in life
and knowing that they have valued every moment. If not, then life
would be a regret as implied in the fourth stanza: learn too late,
they grieved it on its way. Nevertheless, the poem still stresses the
idea that nothing is too late, has evident in the fifth stanza: near
death, who see with blinding sight blind eyes could blaze like
meteors and be gay. Blinding sight is a connotation for ageing; the
quote infers that there is still a choice and chance to spend the last
few moments doing what you love instead of lying in your deathbed.
Thus, people should have it in them to fight and treasure the last

moments with joy instead of sorrow. Thomass use of connation

shows the depth of his message extending beyond his personal
situation to inspire readers to be more adventurous in life.
Metaphors are another noteworthy poetic device; the poem
starts with a metaphor of comparing a lifespan to a single day. That
people should start off their mornings with excitement as a wild
men who caught and sang the sun in flight. The comparison of wild
men to sun in flight denotes someones youth. Even when the night
comes by, dont think about the end of day because your old age
should burn and rave at the close of day. The comparison of old
age to close of day indicates seniority. The metaphor of a whole life
in a day emphasizes on how short life is and that a day should be
filled with has much excitement, only then life wouldnt regretful.
Another metaphor Thomas adds is an image of ocean waves again
being compared to life. In the third stanza, it shows that the last
wave, crying how bright their frail deeds might have danced in a
green bay. The green bay is where a generation has lived their life;
the crying suggests a desire to live longer, has they approach death
once the wave hits the shore. The metaphor of life is a wave
illustrate that death is unexpected, so live life knowing that
everyday could be your last. Thomass use of metaphors underlines
how precious life is and that death is unpredictable. Finally, the last
stanza Thomas recognizes his father who is likely dying. He pray
his father Do not go gentle into that good night and that he rage,
rage against the dying of the light. these two quotes is mentioned

four times in the poem, its purpose is to remind people no matter

how obvious, you should cherish your life.