'The Hand That Signed The Paper' by Dylan Thomas
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The hand that signed the paper felled a city;
Five sovereign fingers taxed the breath,
Doubled the globe of dead and halved a country;
These five kings did a king to death.
The mighty hand leads to a sloping shoulder,
The finger joints are cramped with chalk;
A goose's quill has put an end to murder
That put an end to talk.
The hand that signed the treaty bred a fever,
And famine grew, and locusts came;
Great is the hand the holds dominion over
Man by a scribbled name.
The five kings count the dead but do not soften
The crusted wound nor pat the brow;
A hand rules pity as a hand rules heaven;
Hands have no tears to flow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Hand That Signed The Paper by Dylan Thomas
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling unsettled and disturbed? A poem that made you question the very nature of humanity and the morality of our actions? Look no further than Dylan Thomas' "The Hand That Signed The Paper." This haunting poem delves into the depths of guilt, regret, and betrayal, and leaves the reader pondering the consequences of our actions.
Summary
At its heart, "The Hand That Signed The Paper" is a political poem that addresses the horrors of World War II and the atrocities committed by the Nazis. The poem is structured as a series of stanzas, each one exploring a different aspect of guilt and responsibility. The speaker of the poem is a person who signed a paper, the contents of which are not explicitly stated, but are implied to be a document supporting the Nazi regime.
The poem begins with a chilling opening line: "The hand that signed the paper felled a city." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as we see the consequences of the speaker's actions unfold. The first stanza describes the destruction and chaos that the signing of the paper caused, as "the bombs dropped" and "the children screamed."
In subsequent stanzas, the speaker reflects on the horrors of war and the guilt that they feel for their role in it. They describe the "burning flesh" and "broken bone" that they witnessed, and question whether or not they were complicit in these atrocities. The speaker also addresses the idea of personal responsibility, asking "Who dared to love their neighbours?" and acknowledging that they themselves were "in the craft of their betrayal."
The poem ends with a stark reminder of the consequences of our actions. The speaker admits that they cannot "escape the guilty hand" and that they will forever carry the weight of their betrayal. The final lines of the poem are a plea for forgiveness and a call to action: "Raise the proud honour of the peaceful against the siege of terror!"
Themes
At its core, "The Hand That Signed The Paper" is a poem about guilt and responsibility. The speaker of the poem is wracked with guilt over their role in the atrocities committed during World War II. They acknowledge their complicity in the betrayal of their fellow human beings, and question whether or not they could have done more to prevent the horrors that unfolded.
The poem also touches on the idea of personal responsibility. The speaker acknowledges that they were not alone in their betrayal, but they still feel a sense of personal responsibility for their actions. This is a theme that is still relevant today, as we grapple with issues like climate change and systemic inequality.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of consequences. The speaker acknowledges that their actions had consequences, and that they cannot escape the guilt that comes with them. This is a powerful reminder that our actions have real-world consequences, and that we must take responsibility for them.
Analysis
One of the most striking things about "The Hand That Signed The Paper" is its use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid, often disturbing images that bring the horrors of war to life. From the "burning flesh" to the "broken bone," the poem paints a picture of the brutality and violence that accompanied World War II.
The poem also makes effective use of repetition. The phrase "the hand that signed the paper" is repeated throughout the poem, serving as a reminder of the speaker's complicity in the atrocities committed during the war. This repetition creates a sense of unease and discomfort, as we are forced to confront the reality of our actions.
The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. The stanzas are short and fragmented, giving the poem a disjointed, almost jarring quality. This mirrors the chaos and confusion of war, and reinforces the idea that the consequences of our actions can be unpredictable and far-reaching.
Finally, the language of the poem is powerful and evocative. From the opening line to the final plea for forgiveness, the poem is filled with poetic language that captures the horror and tragedy of war. This language is both beautiful and disturbing, adding to the overall impact of the poem.
Interpretation
"The Hand That Signed The Paper" is a powerful poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways. At its most basic level, the poem is a condemnation of the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II. The speaker of the poem is wracked with guilt over their role in these atrocities, and the poem serves as a reminder that we must take responsibility for our actions.
But the poem can also be interpreted more broadly, as a commentary on the nature of humanity itself. The horrors of war are not unique to World War II, and the poem can be seen as a reminder that we are all capable of committing terrible acts. The repetition of the phrase "the hand that signed the paper" can be seen as a reminder that we are all complicit in the world around us, and that we must take responsibility for our actions if we want to create a better world.
Finally, the poem can be seen as a call to action. The final lines of the poem are a plea for forgiveness and an exhortation to "raise the proud honour of the peaceful against the siege of terror." This can be interpreted as a call to fight against the forces of hatred and violence in the world, and to work towards a more peaceful and just society.
Conclusion
Dylan Thomas' "The Hand That Signed The Paper" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the depths of guilt and responsibility. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and poetic language, the poem forces us to confront the horrors of war and the consequences of our actions. But it is also a poem that offers hope, reminding us that we all have a responsibility to work towards a more peaceful and just world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Hand That Signed The Paper: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends surrealism, symbolism, and metaphors to create a powerful and evocative imagery. One of his most famous poems, "The Hand That Signed The Paper," is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of guilt, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem and analyze its literary devices and techniques.
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed and unstressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which is typical of Thomas's style. The title of the poem is a metaphor that refers to the hand that signed a document that led to a tragic event. The identity of the person who signed the paper is not revealed, but it is implied that it was a significant and consequential act.
The first stanza sets the tone of the poem and introduces the central theme of guilt. The speaker says, "The hand that signed the paper felled a city," which suggests that the act of signing the paper had catastrophic consequences. The word "felled" is a powerful verb that connotes destruction and violence. The use of the past tense also implies that the event has already happened, and there is no way to undo it. The second line, "Five sovereign fingers taxed the breath," is a metaphor that compares the hand to a ruler who imposes taxes on the people. The word "sovereign" suggests that the hand has absolute power and authority. The phrase "taxed the breath" is a hyperbole that exaggerates the extent of the hand's control. It implies that the hand's actions have a suffocating effect on the people.
The second stanza introduces the theme of betrayal. The speaker says, "Doubled the globe of dead and halved a country," which suggests that the hand's actions have caused widespread death and destruction. The word "doubled" implies that the hand has caused the death of many people, while the phrase "halved a country" suggests that the hand has divided a nation. The use of the word "halved" is significant because it implies that the hand has caused irreparable damage that cannot be undone. The third line, "These five kings did a king to death," is a metaphor that compares the hand to a group of kings who have conspired to kill a king. The word "kings" suggests that the hand has a powerful and influential position. The phrase "did a king to death" is a euphemism that implies that the hand has caused the death of a leader or a symbol of authority.
The third stanza introduces the theme of regret. The speaker says, "The sickened heart bled tar," which suggests that the hand's actions have caused a deep sense of remorse and guilt. The word "sickened" implies that the hand is aware of the consequences of its actions and is suffering from the guilt. The phrase "bled tar" is a metaphor that compares the heart to a tree that is bleeding a thick and sticky substance. The use of the word "tar" is significant because it implies that the hand's guilt is a heavy and burdensome substance that cannot be easily removed. The fourth line, "And the seven seas sweated salt tears," is a hyperbole that exaggerates the extent of the hand's remorse. The phrase "seven seas" implies that the hand's actions have caused a global impact, while the phrase "sweated salt tears" suggests that the hand's guilt is so intense that it has caused the oceans to weep.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of justice. The speaker says, "It is the hand that holds the water," which suggests that the hand has the power to control and manipulate the truth. The word "water" is a metaphor that represents the truth or justice. The phrase "holds the water" implies that the hand has the ability to distort or conceal the truth. The third line, "Cooled the fire from the flesh," is a metaphor that compares the hand to a force that extinguishes the passion or the spirit of the people. The word "fire" implies that the hand's actions have caused a sense of despair or hopelessness. The fourth line, "Dipped the tapers in the broth," is a metaphor that compares the hand to a person who contaminates or corrupts something pure or sacred. The word "tapers" refers to candles that are used in religious ceremonies, while the word "broth" implies that the hand has polluted something that is meant to be pure.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of memory. The speaker says, "The hand that signed the treaty bred a fever," which suggests that the hand's actions have caused a lasting and painful memory. The word "fever" is a metaphor that represents a state of agitation or unrest. The phrase "bred a fever" implies that the hand's actions have caused a long-lasting and pervasive effect. The third line, "And famine grew, and locusts came," is a metaphor that compares the hand to a force that causes destruction and chaos. The word "famine" implies that the hand's actions have caused a shortage of food or resources, while the word "locusts" refers to a plague of insects that destroys crops and vegetation. The fourth line, "Great armies clashed by night," is a metaphor that compares the hand to a force that causes war and conflict. The phrase "clashed by night" implies that the hand's actions have caused a sense of darkness or uncertainty.
The sixth stanza concludes the poem and reinforces the central theme of guilt. The speaker says, "The hand that signed the paper killed a city," which is a repetition of the first line. The repetition emphasizes the magnitude and the irreversibility of the hand's actions. The second line, "Five sovereign fingers taxed the breath," is also a repetition of the second line of the first stanza. The repetition reinforces the idea that the hand's actions have a suffocating and oppressive effect on the people. The third line, "Doubled the globe of dead and halved a country," is a repetition of the second line of the second stanza. The repetition reinforces the idea that the hand's actions have caused widespread death and destruction. The fourth line, "And the shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells," is a metaphor that compares the hand to a force that causes a sense of chaos and madness. The phrase "demented choirs" implies that the hand's actions have caused a sense of insanity or irrationality, while the phrase "wailing shells" refers to the sound of bombs or artillery.
In conclusion, "The Hand That Signed The Paper" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of guilt, betrayal, regret, justice, memory, and the consequences of one's actions. Dylan Thomas's use of metaphors, hyperboles, and repetition creates a vivid and haunting imagery that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The poem is a testament to Thomas's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through his writing. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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