It’s also symbolic of a new beginning, signaling the start of a new day or the potential for a fresh start in life. This could be interpreted as anything from the end of a professional work day or the conclusion of a recreational activity. Good night and close of day are phrases often used to symbolize the end of something, usually the end of day. What is symbolized by the phrases good night and close of day?

Thus, Dylan Thomas’ poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” is ultimately an encouragement to those nearing the end of their life to cling to their courage and to fight against death in order to retain the life and strength that they have already achieved. Thomas wanted those in their older years to draw on their courage, to remember the good times they had and the joy they felt, in order to motivate them to fight against the idea of an inevitable death.īy reminding them of the courage and perseverence that they have exhibited throughout their lives, Thomas hoped to help them retain their dignity and their defiant spirit, even if death was inevitable. In the poem, he urged his father and other men who were nearing the end of their days to not accept their plight with defeat but instead “burn and rave at close of day” and “rage, rage against the dying of the light”. He himself was a swashbuckling, romantic poet and aging far too quickly for his liking, and this poem is an attempt to retain his defiant spirit and urge others to fight against death and “rage, rage against the dying of the light”.Īs a romantic poet and someone who often felt that his youth was slipping away too quickly and too soon, Thomas felt enraged at the thought of not being able to hang on and experience life for as long as possible. Why does Dylan Thomas talk about not going gentle into that good night?ĭylan Thomas wrote the poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” as an exhortation to men of all ages, but especially to those fighting the ravages of old age and death. It has since been widely quoted by various other people in various contexts as an sign of defiance and determination to fight in the face of difficult odds.

government’s attempts to dismantle the National Health Service which he had helped to create. This quote is widely seen as signifying his resistance to the U.

We will not go quietly into the night