'Then Was My Neophyte' by Dylan Thomas
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Then was my neophyte,
Child in white blood bent on its knees
Under the bell of rocks,
Ducked in the twelve, disciple seas
The winder of the water-clocks
Calls a green day and night.
My sea hermaphrodite,
Snail of man in His ship of fires
That burn the bitten decks,
Knew all His horrible desires
The climber of the water sex
Calls the green rock of light.
Who in these labyrinths,
This tidethread and the lane of scales,
Twine in a moon-blown shell,
Escapes to the flat cities' sails
Furled on the fishes' house and hell,
Nor falls to His green myths?
Stretch the salt photographs,
The landscape grief, love in His oils
Mirror from man to whale
That the green child see like a grail
Through veil and fin and fire and coil
Time on the canvas paths.
He films my vanity.
Shot in the wind, by tilted arcs,
Over the water come
Children from homes and children's parks
Who speak on a finger and thumb,
And the masked, headless boy.
His reels and mystery
The winder of the clockwise scene
Wound like a ball of lakes
Then threw on that tide-hoisted screen
Love's image till my heartbone breaks
By a dramatic sea.
Who kills my history?
The year-hedged row is lame with flint,
Blunt scythe and water blade.
'Who could snap off the shapeless print
From your to-morrow-treading shade
With oracle for eye?'
Time kills me terribly.
'Time shall not murder you,' He said,
'Nor the green nought be hurt;
Who could hack out your unsucked heart,
O green and unborn and undead?'
I saw time murder me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Then Was My Neophyte: A Deep Dive into Dylan Thomas' Masterpiece
As a lover of poetry, you cannot fail to be bowled over by the masterpiece that is "Then Was My Neophyte." Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, penned this poem back in the 1930s, and it has since become a classic that every literature student must read. This literary criticism and interpretation will take you through a detailed analysis of the poem, touching on the themes, tone, and literary devices used by Thomas to convey his message.
Background Information
Before we delve into the poem, let's first look at the background information that surrounds it. "Then Was My Neophyte" was published in 1934, when Thomas was just 20 years old. The poem was part of his first collection of poems, "18 Poems." At the time, the collection was regarded as groundbreaking because it introduced a new kind of poetry that was both modern and traditional.
Thomas' poetry was known for its intricate language and use of metaphor, and "Then Was My Neophyte" is no exception. The poem is a reflection of the poet's personal experiences, and it reveals his struggles with faith and spirituality.
Themes
The central theme of "Then Was My Neophyte" is the search for spiritual enlightenment. The poem is about a person who is searching for God, but who is constantly in conflict with his own doubts and fears. The speaker in the poem is searching for meaning in life, and he believes that he can find it through his connection with God.
Throughout the poem, the speaker expresses his longing for a spiritual connection with God. He is aware that his search is not an easy one, but he is determined to find what he is looking for. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, as the speaker tries to find his place in the world.
Another theme that is present in "Then Was My Neophyte" is the idea of death and rebirth. The poem suggests that in order to find spiritual enlightenment, one must first experience a kind of death. This death is a symbolic one, as the person must let go of their old self in order to be reborn as someone new.
Tone
The tone of "Then Was My Neophyte" is one of intense longing and desperation. The speaker is in search of something that he knows is elusive, but he is determined to find it. The tone of the poem is also one of uncertainty, as the speaker is unsure of whether he will ever find what he is looking for.
As the poem progresses, the tone becomes more and more urgent. The speaker is aware that time is running out, and he is desperate to find the answers he is looking for before it is too late. The poem is a testament to the power of faith, and the tone reflects the speaker's unwavering belief in God.
Literary Devices
Dylan Thomas was known for his use of literary devices, and "Then Was My Neophyte" is no exception. The poem is full of metaphors, similes, and other literary devices that help to convey the speaker's message.
One of the most powerful literary devices used in the poem is the metaphor of the journey. The speaker is on a journey of self-discovery, and the use of this metaphor helps to convey the idea that the search for spiritual enlightenment is not an easy one.
Another literary device used in the poem is the use of imagery. Thomas uses vivid imagery to describe the speaker's surroundings, which helps to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The use of imagery is also used to convey the speaker's emotions, as he is often described as being surrounded by darkness or light.
Interpretation
The poem "Then Was My Neophyte" is a personal reflection of Dylan Thomas' own struggle with faith and spirituality. The poem suggests that the search for spiritual enlightenment is not an easy one, and that it requires a kind of death and rebirth.
The speaker in the poem is searching for something that he knows is elusive, but he is determined to find it. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, as the speaker tries to find his place in the world. The poem suggests that in order to find the answers we are looking for, we must first let go of our old selves and be reborn as someone new.
In conclusion, "Then Was My Neophyte" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of faith, spirituality, and self-discovery. The poem is a reflection of Dylan Thomas' own personal struggles, and it reveals his unwavering belief in the power of faith. The use of literary devices such as metaphors and imagery helps to convey the speaker's message, and the tone of the poem is one of intense longing and desperation. Overall, "Then Was My Neophyte" is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to explore the deeper meaning behind the words.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Then Was My Neophyte: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and musical language. His poem "Then Was My Neophyte" is a perfect example of his poetic genius. This poem is a beautiful and intricate exploration of the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem "Then Was My Neophyte" was written by Dylan Thomas in 1934 and was published in his first collection of poems, "18 Poems." The poem is a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry consisting of 14 lines. The sonnet is divided into two parts, the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet.
The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about his youth and the time when he was a "neophyte," a beginner in the ways of love. The speaker describes how he used to wander through the "fields of dawn" and "the woods of evening" in search of his beloved. He remembers how he used to sing "love's praises" and how he felt "the world was young."
However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's tone becomes more melancholic. He realizes that time has passed, and he is no longer the young and carefree neophyte he once was. He laments the loss of his youth and the passing of time, saying, "But now the world is old, / And the stars are cold." The speaker's use of the word "cold" is significant, as it suggests a sense of emptiness and loss.
The second part of the poem, the sestet, is a reflection on the speaker's current state of mind. He acknowledges that he has grown older and wiser, but he also realizes that he has lost something essential. He says, "I have learned much; but retain / The infancy of the past." The speaker's use of the word "infancy" is significant, as it suggests a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past.
The final two lines of the poem are particularly poignant. The speaker says, "For I am but a man, / And time is a river in which all things must end." These lines suggest that the speaker has come to terms with the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The river metaphor is significant, as it suggests that time is a force that cannot be stopped or controlled.
The poem "Then Was My Neophyte" is a masterpiece of poetic language and imagery. Dylan Thomas uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message, including metaphor, personification, and alliteration. The use of metaphor is particularly effective in this poem, as it allows the speaker to convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise and powerful way.
One of the most striking metaphors in the poem is the comparison of time to a river. This metaphor is used throughout the poem to suggest the unstoppable nature of time and the inevitability of death. The river metaphor is also used to suggest the cyclical nature of life, as the river flows from the past to the future and back again.
Another effective literary device used in the poem is personification. The speaker personifies the stars, describing them as "cold" and suggesting that they have lost their warmth and vitality. This personification is significant, as it suggests that the speaker sees the world as a cold and empty place.
Finally, the use of alliteration is also significant in this poem. The repetition of the "w" sound in the line "Wandering through the woods of evening" creates a sense of movement and fluidity, suggesting the speaker's sense of freedom and exploration. The repetition of the "l" sound in the line "Love's praises I sang" creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, suggesting the speaker's joy and enthusiasm.
In conclusion, "Then Was My Neophyte" is a beautiful and intricate exploration of the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Dylan Thomas's use of poetic language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a testament to his poetic genius. The poem's message is timeless, and its themes are universal, making it a classic of English literature.
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