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Both Poem at Thirty

Both 'Poem at Thirty-Nine' by Alice Walker and 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' by Dylan Thomas explore fatherhood and emotional connections with their fathers, but they do so in contrasting tones. Walker's poem is nostalgic and reflective, highlighting admiration and gratitude, while Thomas' work is urgent and impassioned, expressing desperation against death. The differing structures and imagery in each poem further illustrate their unique approaches to themes of love, loss, and the influence of fathers.

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1 views2 pages

Both Poem at Thirty

Both 'Poem at Thirty-Nine' by Alice Walker and 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' by Dylan Thomas explore fatherhood and emotional connections with their fathers, but they do so in contrasting tones. Walker's poem is nostalgic and reflective, highlighting admiration and gratitude, while Thomas' work is urgent and impassioned, expressing desperation against death. The differing structures and imagery in each poem further illustrate their unique approaches to themes of love, loss, and the influence of fathers.

Uploaded by

wardawr11
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Both Poem at Thirty-Nine by Alice Walker and Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by

Dylan Thomas explore the theme of fatherhood and reflect the poets' deep emotional
connections with their fathers. However, they convey their feelings in contrasting ways:
Walker's poem is nostalgic and reflective, while Thomas' poem is intense and urgent. The
poets use language, form, and structure to shape their emotional expressions.

Language and Tone

In Poem at Thirty-Nine, Walker expresses a sense of longing and admiration for her deceased
father. She begins with a regretful tone: "How I miss my father!" This exclamatory statement
reinforces her deep sorrow and loss. Walker’s diction is simple yet evocative, emphasizing
warm memories of her father teaching her life skills: "writing deposit slips and checks",
"telling the truth", and "sharing good food." Her tone gradually shifts from sorrowful to
appreciative as she acknowledges the positive impact of her father’s teachings on her life.
The repetition of "How I miss my father!" later in the poem further emphasizes her longing
and the void left by his absence.

By contrast, Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night is more urgent and impassioned.
Thomas pleads with his father to resist death, repeating the refrain: "Rage, rage against the
dying of the light." The imperative verb "rage" emphasizes his desperation and insistence.
The contrast between "gentle" and "rage" highlights his unwillingness to accept his father’s
impending death. He also uses oxymorons such as "Curse, bless" to express his conflicting
emotions—both frustration and deep love. The phrase "blinding sight" may reference his
father’s literal blindness, making the struggle against death even more poignant.

Form and Structure

Walker employs free verse, which aligns with the personal, autobiographical nature of the
poem. The structure is divided into two sections—past and present—emphasizing the
transition from childhood memories to the realization of how her father shaped her life. The
lack of rigid structure mirrors the natural flow of memory and emotion. Enjambment is used
throughout, reflecting the poet’s stream of consciousness and the fluidity of her thoughts.
The listing of life skills at the end ("cooking, writing, chopping wood, / staring into the fire")
suggests a final tribute, showcasing how she has integrated her father’s teachings into her
life.

In contrast, Thomas uses a strict villanelle structure, which consists of five tercets and a final
quatrain. The poem’s repetitive structure enhances its obsessive, relentless tone, reinforcing
the speaker’s determination to keep his father from surrendering to death. The repetitive
refrains ("Do not go gentle into that good night" and "Rage, rage against the dying of the
light") intensify the speaker’s plea, reflecting the depth of his love and sorrow. The
villanelle’s rigid form contrasts with the chaotic emotions being expressed, creating a sense
of inner conflict.

Imagery and Figurative Language


Walker’s poem contains gentle, domestic imagery, highlighting the father’s role in teaching
practical and moral lessons. The metaphor "seasoning none of my life the same way twice"
suggests creativity and adaptability, showing that she has embraced her father’s teachings in
her own unique way. The imagery of "staring into the fire" may symbolize contemplation and
wisdom, indicating her deep reflections on her father’s influence.

On the other hand, Thomas uses powerful, dramatic imagery related to light and darkness.
He extends the metaphor of sunset to represent death: "the dying of the light." The poem
describes different types of men ("wise men," "good men," "wild men," "grave men") who all
resist death, creating a universal struggle against mortality. The juxtaposition of "night" and
"day" reinforces the battle between life and death. The phrase "Grave men" serves as a pun,
suggesting both their seriousness and their impending fate.

Comparison and Contrast

Both poems are deeply personal and autobiographical, showing the poets' love for their
fathers. Walker expresses admiration and gratitude, looking back at her father’s influence
with warmth, while Thomas expresses urgency and desperation, encouraging his father to
resist death.

The use of exclamative sentences ("How I miss my father!" and "Rage, rage against the
dying of the light!") in both poems emphasizes strong emotions. However, Walker’s
exclamation conveys sorrow and nostalgia, while Thomas’ exclamations reinforce a call to
action.

Structurally, Walker’s free verse allows for fluid, reflective storytelling, whereas Thomas’
rigid villanelle intensifies his plea. Walker divides her poem into past and present, whereas
Thomas maintains a consistent tone of urgency throughout. The lack of punctuation in
Walker’s poem reflects a sense of continuity and natural reminiscence, while the structured
repetition in Thomas’ poem creates a sense of unrelenting resistance.

Conclusion

Both Poem at Thirty-Nine and Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night explore the theme of
fatherhood, love, and loss but in contrasting ways. Walker’s poem is a bittersweet reflection
on her father’s influence, whereas Thomas’ poem is a desperate plea against death. Their
differing tones, use of structure, and figurative language illustrate the varied ways in which
people process grief and admiration for their fathers. While Walker’s poem focuses on
acceptance and appreciation, Thomas’ poem is filled with resistance and emotional turmoil,
demonstrating two deeply personal responses to the loss of a father.

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