How one approaches or accepts death is one clear psychoanalytic element in the poem. Thomas mentions four "case studies" if you will: "wise men", "good men", "wild men" and "grave men" and how they choose to face the end of their life. Then, the last man mentioned, the speaker's father, speaks to the cultural element that your question asks about. This poem is a heartfelt response to the actual situation the poet is in; his father's deteriorating health was at the forefront of his emotions. Thomas has also stated the his poetry is "a record of his own individual struggle from darkness towards some measure of light." This speaks to the psychoanalytic element as well. There are audio recordings of this poem on the Internet, with Thomas reading. His voice changes dramatically at the end of the poem, as if the fire is literally going out as he reads (when he gets to the last stanza about his father.)
No comments:
Post a Comment