Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night?

Question

I'm reading this poem and I love it! I just need help understanding some bits.

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.

I was just wondering what the 5th stanza meant; I have no idea what he is saying about the grave men and why they would resist death. (I dont even know what grave means)

Also, a lot of people say theres a lot of imagery in this poem. I cant really find it.. can anyone explain the imagery in this poem?

Answer 1

He is writing about his dad who is dying. He's telling him not to leave, to fight death. The fifth stanza is saying that men, who are close to dying can see their life more clear than at any point before.

That's what I get from it, at least.

Answer 2

Good choice! This is one of the most famous poems in the English language, written by Dylan Thomas. It is a villanelle, and it is indeed about his dying father. The fifth stanza implies that dying men can still be happy, can still see all of life and rejoice in it. One of the images is in this stanza (the eyes blazing like meteors) and in fact, every stanza is based on the image of men in various acts and responses, though they are vague images, closer to metaphors than strict imagery.

Answer 3

That's is a wonderful poem! Where did you find it? And IDK! (:



~♥Alice♥~ Æropostile! IDK! (: TEEHEE!