'The Dance' by R.S. Thomas
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She is young. Have I the right
Even to name her? Child,
It is not love I offer
Your quick limbs, your eyes;
Only the barren homage
Of an old man whom time
Crucifies. Take my hand
A moment in the dance,
Ignoring its sly pressure,
The dry rut of age,
And lead me under the boughs
Of innocence. Let me smell
My youth again in your hair.
Submitted by Philippa Kaye
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Dance by R.S. Thomas: A Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that was so beautifully crafted that it made you stop and think about life? That's what R.S. Thomas' "The Dance" does to me every time I read it. This poem is a masterpiece of simplicity and depth that speaks to the heart of human experience, and I'm excited to share with you my interpretation of this classic piece of literature.
Context and Background
Before we delve into the poem, it's important to understand the context and background of R.S. Thomas. Thomas was a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who lived from 1913 to 2000. He is known for his deeply spiritual and philosophical poetry, which often deals with issues of identity, faith, and the natural world.
"The Dance" was published in Thomas' 1966 collection Not That He Brought Flowers, and it is considered one of his most famous and well-loved poems. The poem is a meditation on the cyclical nature of life and the beauty and harshness of the natural world.
The Poem
Here is the poem in full:
A woman who my mother knows
Came in and took off all her clothes.
Said I, not being very old,
'By golly gosh, you must be cold!'
'No, no!' she cried. 'Indeed I'm not!
I'm feeling devilishly hot!'
She then proceeded to explain
About the dance that she'd been to when
She had taken off her dress and shoes
And danced in her bare feet, to the blues.
'It was wonderful!' she said. 'My feet
Took wings, and life was sweet, sweet, sweet!
The stars were bright, and the moon was high,
And I could have danced 'til I died!'
She dressed herself and went away.
But I still think of that day,
And I wonder, as I walk alone,
If she is dancing still, now she's gone.
At first glance, "The Dance" appears to be a light-hearted and whimsical poem about a woman who gets naked and dances in the moonlight. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a much deeper meaning and significance.
Interpretation
The woman in the poem is a symbolic representation of life itself. Life is often unpredictable and surprising, and it can be both beautiful and harsh. The fact that the woman takes off all her clothes and dances in the moonlight represents the freedom that comes with embracing life and all of its joys and sorrows.
The narrator of the poem, who is presumably a child, is initially shocked by the woman's nudity and assumes that she must be cold. But the woman corrects him and says that she is feeling "devilishly hot." This line is significant because it shows that the woman is not afraid of the cold, just as life is not afraid of the hardships it brings. Instead, she embraces it and finds joy in it.
The woman then proceeds to explain the dance she had attended, which was a celebration of life and all its wonders. The fact that she danced in her bare feet represents the raw and natural state of life, free from the constraints of civilization and societal norms.
The woman's description of the dance is one of pure joy and ecstasy. She says that her feet "took wings" and that life was "sweet, sweet, sweet." This line is significant because it shows that life can be beautiful and joyful, even in the midst of hardships and difficulties. The fact that the stars were bright and the moon was high represents the beauty of the natural world and the wonder of the universe.
Finally, the woman dresses herself and leaves, but the narrator still thinks about her and wonders if she is still dancing. This line is significant because it shows that the beauty of life lives on even after it has passed. The fact that the narrator is still thinking about the woman's dance shows that the memory of such beauty and joy can stay with us forever.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Dance" is a beautiful and deeply philosophical poem that speaks to the heart of human experience. Through the woman's dance, R.S. Thomas celebrates the beauty of life and all its wonders, even in the midst of hardship and difficulty. The poem is a reminder that life is cyclical and that beauty and joy can be found even in the most unexpected places.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Dance: An Analysis of R.S. Thomas' Classic Poem
R.S. Thomas' poem, The Dance, is a classic piece of literature that has captivated readers for decades. The poem is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and it offers a unique perspective on the nature of life and death. In this article, we will take a closer look at The Dance and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The Dance is a poem that is both beautiful and haunting. It begins with a description of a dance, which is a metaphor for life. The dancers are described as "whirling dervishes," and they are said to be "spinning in the light." This image is both mesmerizing and disorienting, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the poem progresses, the dancers are described as becoming more and more frenzied. They are said to be "spinning faster and faster," and their movements become more erratic. This is a metaphor for the chaos and unpredictability of life. The dancers are caught up in the moment, and they are unable to control their movements.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the dancers are described as falling to the ground. They are said to be "crashing to the floor," and their movements become violent and desperate. This is a metaphor for the end of life, and the inevitability of death. The dancers are no longer in control, and they are consumed by the forces of nature.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. It describes the aftermath of the dance, and the silence that follows. The dancers are gone, and all that remains is the memory of their movements. This is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life, and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The Dance is a poem that is rich in imagery and symbolism. The dancers are a metaphor for life, and their movements represent the ups and downs that we all experience. The frenzied nature of the dance is a reminder that life can be chaotic and unpredictable, and that we must be prepared for whatever comes our way.
The falling of the dancers is a powerful metaphor for death. It reminds us that no matter how hard we try, we cannot escape the inevitability of our own mortality. The violent and desperate movements of the dancers in this section of the poem are a reminder that death can be a painful and difficult process.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. It reminds us that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish every moment. The memory of the dance is all that remains, and it is a reminder that our lives are defined by the moments that we create.
In conclusion, The Dance is a powerful and moving poem that explores the nature of life and death. It is a reminder that life can be chaotic and unpredictable, and that we must be prepared for whatever comes our way. The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism, and it offers a unique perspective on the human condition. The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it reminds us that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish every moment. The Dance is a classic piece of literature that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
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