'Should Lanterns Shine' by Dylan Thomas

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Should lanterns shine, the holy face,
Caught in an octagon of unaccustomed light,
Would wither up, an any boy of love
Look twice before he fell from grace.
The features in their private dark
Are formed of flesh, but let the false day come
And from her lips the faded pigments fall,
The mummy cloths expose an ancient breast.

I have been told to reason by the heart,
But heart, like head, leads helplessly;
I have been told to reason by the pulse,
And, when it quickens, alter the actions' pace
Till field and roof lie level and the same
So fast I move defying time, the quiet gentleman
Whose beard wags in Egyptian wind.

I have heard may years of telling,
And many years should see some change.

The ball I threw while playing in the park
Has not yet reached the ground.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Should Lanterns Shine by Dylan Thomas: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

If you are looking for a poem that captures the essence of Dylan Thomas' style, then "Should Lanterns Shine" is the perfect piece. Its lyrical language and vivid imagery create a dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere that is typical of Thomas' work. In this literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, we will explore its themes, symbolism, and meaning.

The Setting

At the heart of the poem is the image of a dark and stormy night. The first stanza sets the scene:

Should lanterns shine, the holy face,
Caught in an octagon of unaccustomed light,
Would wither up, and any boy of love
Look twice before he fell from grace.

The lanterns are a symbol of light in the darkness, but they also represent something more. The "holy face" refers to the moon, which is often associated with spiritual and mystical power. The idea of the moon being caught in an "octagon of unaccustomed light" creates an image of something otherworldly and mysterious. The "boy of love" is a reference to Cupid, the god of love, who is often depicted as a mischievous child. The line "Look twice before he fell from grace" suggests that even the gods are not immune to the power of the darkness.

The Characters

The poem introduces us to two characters: a boy and a girl. They are both described in terms of their vulnerability and innocence:

For boys at their most, boys,
That with their charms do blind the stars,
Thinking themselves alone,
Would mutter and disappear.

The girls were the glory
Of the days of their flesh,
A secret to the grave
In the house they wore.

The boys are portrayed as impulsive and reckless, "muttering and disappearing" in the darkness. They are so blinded by their own charms that they cannot see the dangers that surround them. The girls, on the other hand, are seen as more cautious and secretive. They keep their secrets hidden "in the house they wore," suggesting that they are aware of the dangers that lurk in the darkness.

The Themes

The poem explores several interrelated themes, including the power of darkness, the vulnerability of youth, and the contrast between innocence and experience. The darkness is portrayed as a powerful force that can corrupt even the purest and most innocent of beings. The boy and the girl are both vulnerable to its influence, but in different ways. The boy is more impulsive and reckless, while the girl is more cautious and guarded.

The contrast between innocence and experience is also an important theme. The boy and the girl are both young and inexperienced, but they are also aware of the dangers that surround them. They know that they must be careful, but they cannot resist the lure of the darkness. In this way, the poem can be seen as a meditation on the loss of innocence that comes with experience.

The Symbolism

The poem is rich in symbolism, which adds to its dreamy, surreal atmosphere. The lanterns are a symbol of hope and light in the darkness, but they also represent something more. They are a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope. The moon is another important symbol, representing spiritual and mystical power. The octagon of light that surrounds it creates an image of something otherworldly and mysterious.

The boys and girls are also symbolic. They represent youth and innocence, but they also represent something more. The boys are a symbol of impulsive and reckless behavior, while the girls are a symbol of caution and secrecy. Together, they represent the contrast between innocence and experience.

The Meaning

So what does all of this mean? At its core, "Should Lanterns Shine" is a poem about the power of darkness and the loss of innocence. It is a meditation on the vulnerability of youth and the contrast between innocence and experience. The poem suggests that even the purest and most innocent of beings are vulnerable to the influence of the darkness, but that there is always a glimmer of hope in the form of the lanterns that shine in the darkness.

Conclusion

"Should Lanterns Shine" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Dylan Thomas' style. Its lyrical language and vivid imagery create a dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere that is typical of Thomas' work. The poem explores several important themes, including the power of darkness, the vulnerability of youth, and the contrast between innocence and experience. Its rich symbolism adds to its dreamy, surreal atmosphere, creating an image of something otherworldly and mysterious. Ultimately, the poem is a meditation on the loss of innocence that comes with experience, but it also reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Should Lanterns Shine: A Poem of Love and Loss

Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his vivid and imaginative language, his love of nature, and his exploration of the human condition. His poem "Should Lanterns Shine" is a haunting and beautiful meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem, and consider its significance in the context of Thomas's body of work.

The poem begins with a description of a dark and lonely night, with the speaker walking through the countryside. The first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "Should lanterns shine, the holy face, caught in an octagon of unaccustomed light." The use of the word "should" suggests that the speaker is uncertain about whether or not the lanterns should be shining, and this uncertainty is echoed throughout the poem. The "holy face" is a reference to the moon, which is often associated with divinity and mystery. The use of the word "octagon" suggests a shape that is both regular and unusual, and this creates a sense of disorientation and unease.

The second stanza introduces the theme of love and loss. The speaker remembers a time when he was with someone he loved, and the memory is so vivid that it seems to bring the person back to life: "And I remember fireflies and new moon nights and dew on spider webs and ears of corn tipping in the wind." The use of sensory imagery creates a vivid and nostalgic picture of a time and place that is now lost. The repetition of the word "and" creates a sense of accumulation, as if the speaker is trying to hold onto every detail of the memory.

The third stanza introduces the theme of time and mortality. The speaker reflects on the fact that everything is temporary and that even the memory of the person he loved will eventually fade: "And I remember evenings, mornings, noons and nights, / Dawns and afternoons, / And I have been dead a hundred years." The use of the word "remember" suggests that the speaker is trying to hold onto the past, but the repetition of the word "and" creates a sense of inevitability and progression. The final line, "And I have been dead a hundred years," is a powerful reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of uncertainty. The speaker wonders if the lanterns should be shining, and if the memory of the person he loved is worth holding onto: "Should lanterns shine, the pageant of the sky / Fly overhead, the bells of the chapels cry / And people invest their time in a cloud, / The pages of history would have to turn." The use of the word "should" suggests that the speaker is unsure about whether or not the lanterns should be shining, and the reference to the "pages of history" suggests that the poem is about more than just one person's memory.

The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image of the speaker standing alone in the dark: "And if you sing, sing for the lost, / For the dead and for the gone. / And if you pray, pray for the lost, / And the gone and the unborn." The repetition of the phrase "the lost, / For the dead and for the gone" creates a sense of finality and closure, and the use of the word "unborn" suggests that the poem is not just about the past, but also about the future.

Overall, "Should Lanterns Shine" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of love, loss, time, and mortality. The use of sensory imagery and repetition creates a vivid and nostalgic picture of a time and place that is now lost, and the uncertainty and ambiguity of the poem create a sense of unease and disorientation. The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image of the speaker standing alone in the dark, and the repetition of the phrase "the lost, / For the dead and for the gone" creates a sense of finality and closure. In the context of Thomas's body of work, "Should Lanterns Shine" is a significant and powerful poem that showcases his unique style and his exploration of the human condition.

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