'Evans' by R.S. Thomas
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Evans? Yes, many a time
I came down his bare flight
Of stairs into the gaunt kitchen
With its wood fire, where crickets sang
Accompaniment to the black kettle"s
Whine, and so into the cold
Dark to smother in the thick tide
Of night that drifted about the walls
Of his stark farm on the hill ridge.
It was not the dark filling my eyes
And mouth appalled me; not even the drip
Of rain like blood from the one tree
Weather-tortured. It was the dark
Silting the veins of that sick man
I left stranded upon the vast
And lonely shore of his bleak bed.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
Evans by R.S. Thomas: A Masterful Exploration of the Human Experience
Evans by R.S. Thomas is a classic poem that explores the complexities of the human experience. This literary masterpiece is a poignant commentary on the nature of identity, loss, and the passage of time. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Thomas takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and the world around us.
Overview
Evans is a poem that tells the story of a man named Evans, who is a shepherd in the Welsh countryside. The poem begins with a description of the rugged landscape and the harsh weather that Evans is forced to endure. Thomas paints a vivid picture of the natural world, using language that is both beautiful and haunting.
As the poem progresses, Thomas delves deeper into Evans' character, exploring his inner thoughts and emotions. We learn that Evans is a man who is deeply connected to the land and the animals he cares for. He is a solitary figure, but not in a negative way. Rather, Evans finds peace and solace in his isolation.
The poem takes a melancholic turn when Thomas reveals that Evans has recently passed away. We are left with a sense of loss and sadness, as we realize that this man who was so connected to the natural world is no longer with us.
Themes
At its core, Evans is a poem about identity and the human experience. Thomas uses the character of Evans to explore the idea that our identities are inextricably linked to the world around us. Evans is not just a shepherd, he is a product of his environment. His identity is shaped by the harsh landscape and the animals that he cares for.
Another major theme of the poem is the passage of time. Thomas uses the natural world to explore this theme, showing us how the seasons change and how the landscape is constantly evolving. Through Evans, we see that time is both fleeting and all-encompassing. It is a force that we cannot escape, but at the same time, it is something that we can find solace in.
Lastly, Evans is a poem about loss and the human condition. Through the character of Evans, Thomas shows us that life is both beautiful and tragic. We are all just passing through this world, and eventually, we will all experience loss and grief. However, there is also beauty and joy to be found in life, even in the face of adversity.
Literary Techniques
One of the most striking things about Evans is the way that Thomas uses language to create vivid and powerful imagery. Throughout the poem, he uses metaphors and similes to paint a picture of the natural world. For example, he describes the sky as a "blanket of cloud" and the wind as a "gale that shakes the hills". These descriptions create a sense of atmosphere and give the reader a clear sense of the world that Evans inhabits.
Thomas also uses repetition in Evans to emphasize the passage of time. The phrase "he is dead" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of finality and loss. This repetition is a powerful literary technique, as it reinforces the central theme of the poem and creates a sense of inevitability.
Another literary technique that Thomas employs in Evans is the use of symbolism. The natural world is a powerful symbol throughout the poem, representing both the beauty and the harshness of life. The sheep that Evans cares for are also a symbol, representing the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
Interpretation
Evans is a powerful and deeply moving poem that invites the reader to reflect on the nature of life and the human experience. The character of Evans serves as a powerful symbol for the fragility of our identities and the transience of life itself. Through his experiences, we see that our identities are shaped by the world around us, but they are also something that we can find solace in.
At the same time, Evans is a poem about loss and the human condition. It reminds us that life is both beautiful and tragic, and that we will all experience loss and grief at some point. However, there is also beauty and joy to be found in life, even in the face of adversity.
In the end, Evans is a masterpiece of modern poetry that reminds us of the power of language and the human capacity for introspection and self-discovery. Through the character of Evans, R.S. Thomas invites us to look inward, to reflect on our own lives and the world around us, and to find meaning and purpose in the beauty and tragedy of life itself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Evans by R.S. Thomas: A Poem of Loss and Reflection
R.S. Thomas, one of the most celebrated Welsh poets of the 20th century, is known for his poignant and introspective works that explore the themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. Among his many notable poems, Evans stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression, capturing the essence of loss and reflection in a way that is both haunting and beautiful.
At its core, Evans is a poem about a man who has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of memories and emotions that the speaker of the poem struggles to come to terms with. The poem is structured as a series of reflections and observations, each one building upon the last to create a powerful and evocative portrait of the man known as Evans.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "Evans? Yes, many a time". This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of familiarity and intimacy between the speaker and the subject of the poem. The repetition of the name "Evans" also serves to emphasize the importance of this person in the speaker's life, as if the mere mention of his name is enough to evoke a flood of memories and emotions.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to describe Evans in more detail, painting a picture of a man who was both humble and proud, kind and reserved. The speaker notes that Evans "was tall, of course, lean as a wire and equally / Strong", suggesting that he was a man of great physical strength and endurance. However, the speaker also notes that Evans "was not the type to let / His heart spill easily", indicating that he was a man who kept his emotions close to his chest.
Despite this reserved nature, the speaker clearly has a deep respect and admiration for Evans, describing him as "a man who moved in a society / Of the dead". This line is particularly powerful, suggesting that Evans was someone who was deeply connected to the past and to the traditions of his ancestors. It also implies that Evans was a man who was comfortable with death, perhaps even embracing it as a natural part of life.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the impact that Evans had on his own life, noting that "he taught me Welsh". This line is significant because it suggests that Evans was not just a friend or acquaintance, but a mentor and teacher who had a profound influence on the speaker's identity and sense of self. The fact that Evans taught the speaker Welsh also highlights the importance of language and culture in Welsh society, where the preservation of tradition and heritage is a central concern.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death and the legacy that we leave behind. The speaker notes that "the words of his language / Are difficult words to live with", suggesting that the traditions and values that Evans embodied are not always easy to uphold in a world that is constantly changing and evolving. However, the speaker also acknowledges that "they are for a lovely purpose", implying that the struggle to maintain these traditions is worthwhile because they are rooted in something beautiful and meaningful.
In the end, Evans is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and reflection. Through its vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem captures the essence of a man who was deeply connected to his past and to the traditions of his ancestors. It also highlights the importance of language and culture in Welsh society, where the preservation of tradition and heritage is a central concern.
Overall, Evans is a masterpiece of poetic expression that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who has ever experienced loss or struggled to come to terms with their own identity and sense of self. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition in a way that is both timeless and universal, reminding us of the power of language, tradition, and memory to shape our lives and our legacies.
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