'I Have Longed To Move Away' by Dylan Thomas
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I have longed to move away
From the hissing of the spent lie
And the old terrors' continual cry
Growing more terrible as the day
Goes over the hill into the deep sea;
I have longed to move away
From the repetition of salutes,
For there are ghosts in the air
And ghostly echoes on paper,
And the thunder of calls and notes.
I have longed to move away but am afraid;
Some life, yet unspent, might explode
Out of the old lie burning on the ground,
And, crackling into the air, leave me half-blind.
Neither by night's ancient fear,
The parting of hat from hair,
Pursed lips at the receiver,
Shall I fall to death's feather.
By these I would not care to die,
Half convention and half lie.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Have Longed To Move Away by Dylan Thomas: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to be transported to a world of longing, of wanderlust, of the desire to escape? Then let me introduce you to Dylan Thomas' poem, "I Have Longed To Move Away."
This classic poem is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the human condition, of our deep-seated desire to break free from the mundane and the familiar, and to seek out new experiences and adventures.
An Overview of the Poem
"I Have Longed To Move Away" is a short but powerful poem that consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it doesn't follow any specific meter or rhyme scheme.
Let's take a closer look at the poem stanza by stanza:
Stanza 1
I have longed to move away From the hissing of the spent lie And the old terrors' continual cry Growing more terrible as the day
In the first stanza, the speaker expresses his desire to move away from the "hissing of the spent lie" and the "old terrors' continual cry." These lines are full of vivid and powerful imagery that evokes a sense of unease and discomfort.
The "hissing of the spent lie" suggests a feeling of betrayal or deceit, while the "old terrors' continual cry" implies a sense of fear or anxiety that never goes away. The line "growing more terrible as the day" further emphasizes the speaker's sense of urgency and desperation to escape these feelings.
Stanza 2
Oh to live on, / Sugar, bread, and beer, The sweets of sinless days, / And nights without a tear, That groan the house away, / And kill the stunted tree, And turn the virgin ground / From green to blackened lee.
The second stanza presents a contrasting image of a simple and carefree life, where one can enjoy the "sweets of sinless days" and "nights without a tear." The speaker longs for a life that is free from the burdens and struggles of the world, where one can simply live off the basic necessities of sugar, bread, and beer.
However, this idyllic image is quickly shattered by the final four lines of the poem, which describe how the world around us can become corrupted and destroyed. The lines "That groan the house away," "And kill the stunted tree," and "And turn the virgin ground / From green to blackened lee" suggest a sense of decay and destruction that can't be escaped, no matter how hard one tries.
Themes and Interpretations
"I Have Longed To Move Away" is a deeply introspective poem that touches on a number of complex themes and emotions. Here are some possible interpretations of the poem:
The Desire for Escape
One of the most obvious themes in the poem is the desire to escape. The speaker longs to move away from the hissing of the spent lie and the old terrors' continual cry, indicating a sense of dissatisfaction with the world around him.
This desire for escape is something that many people can relate to, especially in times of stress or hardship. The poem suggests that the human spirit is always seeking something more, something better, and that this desire is both natural and powerful.
The Corrupting Influence of the World
Another key theme in the poem is the idea that the world around us can be corrupting and destructive. The lines "That groan the house away," "And kill the stunted tree," and "And turn the virgin ground / From green to blackened lee" all suggest a sense of decay and ruin that can't be escaped.
This theme speaks to the idea that no matter where we go, or how hard we try to escape, the world around us will always have its own agenda. It reminds us that we are all part of something larger, and that sometimes the best we can do is to simply accept this fact and try to find meaning and purpose in our lives despite it.
The Search for Meaning
Finally, the poem can be seen as a search for meaning, for something that transcends the mundane and the ordinary. The lines "Oh to live on, / Sugar, bread, and beer, / The sweets of sinless days, / And nights without a tear" suggest a longing for something pure and simple, something that represents a deeper meaning or purpose in life.
This search for meaning is something that many people can relate to, as we all struggle to find our place in the world and to understand our purpose. The poem suggests that this search is an ongoing process, and that even when we find moments of clarity and understanding, there will always be something more to long for.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I Have Longed To Move Away" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores some of the most complex themes and emotions that we as human beings can experience. It speaks to our desire for escape, our struggle with the corrupting influence of the world, and our ongoing search for meaning and purpose.
Whether you're a fan of poetry or simply looking for something to help you contemplate the deeper questions of life, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression. So take a moment to read it, to let its words and images wash over you, and to reflect on the themes and ideas that it presents. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Have Longed To Move Away: An Analysis of Dylan Thomas' Classic Poem
Dylan Thomas is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his vivid imagery and lyrical style. His poem "I Have Longed To Move Away" is a classic example of his work, exploring themes of escape, longing, and the search for meaning in life. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning behind the poem and explore the techniques Thomas uses to convey his message.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing a desire to "move away" from his current life. He describes his surroundings as "the quietness of the pines", suggesting a sense of isolation and loneliness. The repetition of the phrase "I have longed" emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's desire to escape, and creates a sense of urgency.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the things he longs to leave behind. He mentions "the burden of the sea", which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the weight of responsibility or the struggles of daily life. The sea is often used in literature as a symbol of the unknown or the uncontrollable, and the speaker's desire to escape it suggests a fear of the unknown.
The speaker also mentions "the sound of the land", which could be interpreted as the noise and chaos of modern life. The phrase "the sound of the land" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is not just trying to escape physical surroundings, but also the cultural and societal norms that come with them.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker describes the things he longs to find in his new life. He mentions "the glow of the sky", which could be interpreted as a symbol of hope or enlightenment. The sky is often used in literature as a symbol of transcendence or spirituality, and the speaker's desire to find the "glow" of the sky suggests a search for meaning or purpose in life.
The speaker also mentions "the warmth of the sun", which could be interpreted as a symbol of happiness or contentment. The sun is often used in literature as a symbol of life and vitality, and the speaker's desire to find its warmth suggests a longing for a more fulfilling existence.
Throughout the poem, Thomas uses a variety of techniques to convey the speaker's emotions and desires. One of the most notable is his use of imagery. The descriptions of the sea, the land, the sky, and the sun are all vivid and evocative, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "I have longed", also creates a sense of rhythm and urgency.
Another technique Thomas uses is the use of contrast. The contrast between the quietness of the pines and the burden of the sea, or between the sound of the land and the glow of the sky, creates a sense of tension and conflict. This tension reflects the speaker's internal struggle between his desire to escape and his search for meaning.
The poem also contains a sense of ambiguity, particularly in its ending. The final lines, "And the bird called, and the leaves / Fell from the wind's long sighing / To the earth where I was lying", suggest a sense of resignation or acceptance. The bird's call and the falling leaves could be interpreted as symbols of the passage of time, or of the cyclical nature of life. The speaker's position on the earth suggests a sense of groundedness or connection to the natural world.
Overall, "I Have Longed To Move Away" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of escape, longing, and the search for meaning in life. Thomas' use of imagery, contrast, and ambiguity creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of contemplation. The poem is a testament to Thomas' skill as a poet, and a reminder of the power of language to convey complex emotions and ideas.
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