Origin of Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
This phrase appears four times in Thomas Dylan’s best-known villanelle poem Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night. The speaker opens the poem with this phrase, saying, “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.” The speaker urges his father to struggle with death, which has upset the speaker for the decline of his father’s health. He believes that those who cry have not shown much brilliance in life. Hence, if they can survive longer, they would be able to achieve more success.
Meaning of Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
It means those who actually live out their lives will better see how life has been bright for them, before going towards the sleep of death. The speaker emphasizes that older men should fight fiercely and strongly against death. The purpose of fighting against death is to realize the importance of being alive. The poet believes that goodness comes from fighting against death with full force and might.
Usage of Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
The phrase conveys a powerful message that, when death approaches, one needs to know what made his life meaningful, and he should never fear death. Thus, in everyday life people can use it for encouragement, like when a father, or mother, or grandmother is seriously ill, and is about to die, then their children can give them strength by using this phrase. It can serve the same function such as if someone is going to commit suicide, but is saved on time.
Literary Source of Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
The speaker urges his father to fight death, repeating this phrase four times in the poem – in lines 1, 6, 12, and 18.
“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…Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
(Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night, Lines 1, 6, 12, 18)
Literary Analysis of Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
The theme of this line is morality and transcendentalism. This line laments the inevitability and necessity of death, encouraging old people to rise up against their death and fate. The poet’s voice is arguing that old people should not consent to die immediately. He has linked being alive with passion and deep emotions. Thomas’ “good men” and “wise men” resist dying gently, because they could not achieve what they might have achieved in their lives. Through the examples of different types of men, the poet affirms the importance of being alive. He believes that they should resist dying, if they have not truly lived their lives.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: Good night is a metaphorical expression of death
- Alliteration: Alliteration occurs in sound g in “Go Gentle and Good” and n sound in “not and night.”
- Setting: Night, Darkness