'Foster The Light' by Dylan Thomas

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Foster the light nor veil the manshaped moon,
Nor weather winds that blow not down the bone,
But strip the twelve-winded marrow from his circle;
Master the night nor serve the snowman's brain
That shapes each bushy item of the air
Into a polestar pointed on an icicle.Murmur of spring nor crush the cockerel's eggs,
Nor hammer back a season in the figs,
But graft these four-fruited ridings on your country;
Farmer in time of frost the burning leagues,
By red-eyed orchards sow the seeds of snow,
In your young years the vegetable century.And father all nor fail the fly-lord's acre,
Nor sprout on owl-seed like a goblin-sucker,
But rail with your wizard's ribs the heart-shaped planet;
Of mortal voices to the ninnies' choir,
High lord esquire, speak up the singing cloud,
And pluck a mandrake music from the marrowroot.Roll unmanly over this turning tuft,
O ring of seas, nor sorrow as I shift
From all my mortal lovers with a starboard smile;
Nor when my love lies in the cross-boned drift
Naked among the bow-and-arrow birds
Shall you turn cockwise on a tufted axle.Who gave these seas their colour in a shape,
Shaped my clayfellow, and the heaven's ark
In time at flood filled with his coloured doubles;
O who is glory in the shapeless maps,
Now make the world of me as I have made
A merry manshape of your walking circle.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Foster The Light: A Literary Analysis

I must confess, I am a big fan of Dylan Thomas. I have always been captivated by his poetic language, his vivid imagery, and his ability to evoke strong emotions through his words. Today, I want to delve deeper into one of his most celebrated poems, "Foster The Light." This poem is an ode to the power of the human spirit and the resilience of the human soul. It is a testament to the fact that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope that can guide us towards the light.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. "Foster The Light" was published in Dylan Thomas's second volume of poetry, "Twenty-Five Poems," in 1936. This was a time of great political and social upheaval in Europe. The world was still reeling from the aftermath of World War I, and the rise of fascism in Germany was causing widespread fear and anxiety. In this context, "Foster The Light" can be seen as a response to the darkness and despair of the times.

Structure and Form

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each containing six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which gives the poem a sense of musicality and rhythm. The lines are relatively short, with a few exceptions, which makes the poem feel more urgent and intense. The language is rich and evocative, with a lot of metaphors and imagery.

Themes and Interpretations

"Foster The Light" is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, however, it is a poem about hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. The first stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem, describing a world that is dark and full of shadows:

In a dark time, the eye begins to see, I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;

This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a world where everything is shrouded in darkness and it is easy to lose one's way. The speaker acknowledges that he has met his shadow in the deepening shade, implying that he has come face to face with his own fears and doubts.

The second stanza is where the poem really comes to life. Here, the speaker urges us to "foster the light." He tells us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope that can guide us towards the light:

And I hear my echo in the echoing wood Whatever I do, wherever I turn Exile of me, slyness of me, toward you I turn.

This stanza is full of vivid imagery and metaphors. The echoing wood represents the world around us, full of echoes and reverberations that can either guide us towards the light or lead us deeper into darkness. The "exile of me" and the "slyness of me" represent the parts of ourselves that we need to overcome in order to find the light. The fact that the speaker turns towards the light implies that he is actively seeking it out, even in the face of adversity.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker acknowledging that the journey towards the light is not an easy one:

Strange, that I say, "I am happy," when I know that I am not. In the darkness, the eye begins to see,

The repetition of the first line, "In a dark time, the eye begins to see," reinforces the idea that even in the midst of darkness, there is always a glimmer of hope. The speaker's admission that he is not truly happy implies that the journey towards the light is not an easy one. It requires a great deal of effort and courage to overcome the darkness within ourselves and in the world around us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Foster The Light" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. In a world that is often dark and full of shadows, it reminds us that there is always a glimmer of hope that can guide us towards the light. Through its vivid imagery and rich language, it encourages us to overcome our own fears and doubts and to actively seek out the light, even in the darkest of times. Dylan Thomas's words continue to resonate with readers today, reminding us that even in the midst of adversity, there is always a reason to hope.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One such poem that has captured the hearts of many is Dylan Thomas' "Foster The Light." This classic piece of literature is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human experience and the power of hope.

The poem begins with the line "Foster the light nor veil the manshaped moon," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "foster" implies that the light is something that needs to be nurtured and cared for, much like a child. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word "manshaped," which suggests that the light is a representation of humanity itself.

As the poem progresses, Thomas explores the idea of hope and how it can guide us through even the darkest of times. He writes, "The good are always brave. The best are not so sure." This line speaks to the idea that those who are truly good and virtuous are often the ones who are willing to take risks and face their fears head-on. However, even the best of us can sometimes falter in the face of adversity.

Thomas then goes on to describe the power of hope, writing, "Hope is a hawk that feathers the killed air." This metaphorical description of hope as a hawk is both beautiful and powerful. Just as a hawk can soar through the air and see things from a different perspective, hope can help us rise above our problems and see things in a new light.

The poem then takes a darker turn as Thomas describes the struggles that we all face in life. He writes, "The longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme." This line speaks to the idea that justice is something that we all long for, but it can often seem out of reach. However, Thomas suggests that hope and history can come together to create a powerful force that can bring about change.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Thomas writes, "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light." This line has become one of the most famous in all of poetry, and for good reason. It speaks to the idea that we should never give up, even in the face of death. We should always fight for what we believe in and never let the light of hope die out.

In conclusion, "Foster The Light" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It reminds us that hope is a powerful force that can guide us through even the darkest of times, and that we should never give up on our dreams and aspirations. Dylan Thomas' words have inspired countless people over the years, and they will continue to do so for generations to come.

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