Life and Death on “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” and “Psalm of Life”
Poetry
Literary Analysis of two poems below: compare and contrast then conclude.
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night"
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see the blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
By Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953)
"Psalm of Life"
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream! -
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,--act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)
When you write a literary analysis essay, you should focus on the following elements: tone, diction, syntax, author’s point of view, structure, imagery, and dramatic context of a selection. As you explore and analyze the poems at the end of the page, make notes about the literary elements you notice and begin to consider how the authors develop the themes in each poem.
Key Literary Terms
Diction - the author's choice of words
Dramatic context - the setting and core structure of a poem
Elliptical construction - the intentional omission or certain words or phrases by the author
Euphemism - a mild or less blunt word (ex. sleep instead of death)
Metaphor - a figure of speech that compares unlike objects
Simile - a figure of speech that compares unlike objects using "like" and "as" (ex. Life is like a dream.)
Motif - a recurring theme throughout a poem
Syntax - the author's pattern of words or sentence structure
LITERARY ANALYSIS ON TWO POEMS
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Life and death as seen through “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas and “Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Life and death are recurring and profound subjects in literature, delved into by numerous authors through various literary devices. These devices include tone, diction, syntax, imagery, dramatic context, and point of view. This essay aims to compare and contrast two poems, specifically "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas and "Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It will analyze how each poet employs these devices to convey their attitudes and messages concerning life and death.
To begin with, diction is a prevalent device in poetry, reflecting an author’s choice of words and their effect on the meaning and tone of the poem. In this case, Thomas employs simple, direct, and forceful terms, such as “rage,” “burn,” “blaze,” and “curse,” to convey his defiance and urgency against death. Longfellow, on the other hand, uses more complex, poetic, and figurative words. He uses “slumbers,” “muffled,” “bivouac,” and “footprints” to create vivid images and metaphors for life and death. The simple and direct words help Thomas contrast life and death, light and darkness, fire and coldness. He also creates a sense of violence and destruction, suggesting that death should be opposed and resisted. Longfellow establishes a connection between life and nature, spirit and matter, action and faith through complex and figurative style. He also creates a sense of harmony and beauty, suggesting that life should be enjoyed and celebrated.
Syntax echoes an author’s pattern of words or sentence structure and their effect on the
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