Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave 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 with 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 that 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.
Dylan Thomas
Questions:
1) What, in your opinion, does the poet mean when he repeats “Do no go gentle into that good night“?
2) What is the tone of the poem? Use quotation to support your answer.
3) Describe in your own words the image that you see when you read the line “Rage, rage against the dying of the light“. What does the poet mean by this repeated phrase?
4) Choose two of the images from those highlighted throughout the poem. Explain their meaning in relation to the theme of death.
