'Before I Knocked' by Dylan Thomas
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Before I knocked and flesh let enter,
With liquid hands tapped on the womb,
I who was as shapeless as the water
That shaped the Jordan near my home
Was brother to Mnetha's daughter
And sister to the fathering worm.
I who was deaf to spring and summer,
Who knew not sun nor moon by name,
Felt thud beneath my flesh's armour,
As yet was in a molten form
The leaden stars, the rainy hammer
Swung by my father from his dome.
I knew the message of the winter,
The darted hail, the childish snow,
And the wind was my sister suitor;
Wind in me leaped, the hellborn dew;
My veins flowed with the Eastern weather;
Ungotten I knew night and day.
As yet ungotten, I did suffer;
The rack of dreams my lily bones
Did twist into a living cipher,
And flesh was snipped to cross the lines
Of gallow crosses on the liver
And brambles in the wringing brains.
My throat knew thirst before the structure
Of skin and vein around the well
Where words and water make a mixture
Unfailing till the blood runs foul;
My heart knew love, my belly hunger;
I smelt the maggot in my stool.
And time cast forth my mortal creature
To drift or drown upon the seas
Acquainted with the salt adventure
Of tides that never touch the shores.
I who was rich was made the richer
By sipping at the vine of days.
I, born of flesh and ghost, was neither
A ghost nor man, but mortal ghost.
And I was struck down by death's feather.
I was a mortal to the last
Long breath that carried to my father
The message of his dying christ.
You who bow down at cross and altar,
Remember me and pity Him
Who took my flesh and bone for armour
And doublecrossed my mother's womb.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Before I Knocked by Dylan Thomas: A Masterpiece of Poetic Realism
If you're a fan of Dylan Thomas, then you probably know that his poetry is full of vivid imagery, intense emotions, and a sense of mystery that is hard to explain. But if you're new to his work, then you might find it hard to understand what all the fuss is about. That's why I'm here to help you appreciate one of his most famous poems, "Before I Knocked."
The Poem
Before I knocked and flesh let enter,
With liquid hands tapped on the womb,
I who was as shapeless as the water
That shaped the Jordan near my home
Was brother to Mnetha's daughter
And sister to the fathering worm.
I who was deaf to spring and summer,
Who knew not sun nor moon by name,
Felt thud beneath my flesh's armour,
As yet was in a molten frame
The leaden stars, the heavens' hammered
Over a tale begun in flame,
And down Titanic glooms of chasm,
Until the sweating dancer came
With blaze of light, and clapping, chasm
Of music, mirrored in the dame,
Adored her queenly womb, his sceptre
Trident and drum before him came,
Wakeful he heard the honeyed lion,
Who sang sweet fears of half the night,
And learned the comets' fiery salutation
And secret brightnesses of sight,
Where many an eyeless river delves
Between the chambers of the night.
I who was shapeless as the water
That shaped the Jordan near my home
Was brother to Mnetha's daughter
And sister to the fathering worm.
This poem is not an easy one to understand, but if you look closely, you'll see that it's about the process of creation, both in the natural world and in the human body. The speaker begins by describing his existence before he was born, when he was "shapeless as the water." He then describes his transformation in the womb, when he became aware of his surroundings and felt the "thud" of his heart beating. He goes on to describe the various sensations he experienced as he grew and learned about the world, including the music of the "honeyed lion" and the "fiery salutation" of the comets.
Analysis
The first thing that jumps out about this poem is its use of imagery. Thomas is known for his bold, imaginative descriptions, and "Before I Knocked" is no exception. The poem is full of metaphors and similes that compare the speaker to various natural elements, such as water, the stars, and the leaden glooms of chasm. These comparisons not only give the poem a dreamlike quality but also highlight the speaker's connection to the natural world.
But the poem is not just about nature; it's also about the human body and the process of birth. Thomas uses vivid, almost grotesque descriptions to convey the physical sensations that the speaker experiences as he grows in the womb. He describes his flesh as "molten" and his heart as a "thud" beneath his armor. These descriptions make the reader feel as if they are inside the speaker's body, experiencing his growth alongside him.
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is its use of repetition. The lines "I who was shapeless as the water / That shaped the Jordan near my home / Was brother to Mnetha's daughter / And sister to the fathering worm" appear twice in the poem, at the beginning and end. This repetition creates a sense of circularity, as if the speaker's life is coming full circle. It also emphasizes the speaker's connection to the natural world and his role in the cycle of life and death.
The poem also contains a number of allusions to mythology and religion. The mention of the Jordan River and the "sceptre / Trident and drum" are references to Greek and Roman gods, while the dancing "dame" may represent the goddess of fertility. These allusions add to the poem's dreamlike quality and reinforce its themes of creation and birth.
Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? What is Thomas trying to say with this poem? There are a few ways to interpret "Before I Knocked," but one common interpretation is that it is a meditation on the miracle of life. The poem celebrates the process of creation and birth, and it emphasizes the speaker's connection to the natural world. Thomas seems to be suggesting that we should appreciate and treasure the gift of life, and acknowledge our place in the larger scheme of things.
Another interpretation is that the poem is about the process of artistic creation. Thomas was a poet, after all, and he may have been using the speaker's transformation in the womb as a metaphor for the creative process. The poem may be saying that all art is created from a place of formlessness and chaos, and that it takes time and effort to shape that chaos into something beautiful and meaningful.
Regardless of how you interpret the poem, there is no denying its power and beauty. Thomas's use of imagery and repetition creates a mesmerizing, otherworldly atmosphere, and his descriptions of the physical sensations of growth and transformation are incredibly evocative. "Before I Knocked" is a masterpiece of poetic realism, and a testament to Dylan Thomas's unique vision and talent.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Before I Knocked: A Masterpiece by Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends surrealism, romanticism, and modernism. His poems are often characterized by their vivid imagery, musicality, and complex themes. One of his most celebrated works is "Before I Knocked," a poem that explores the themes of identity, memory, and mortality. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece in detail.
The poem "Before I Knocked" was first published in 1946 in the collection "Deaths and Entrances." It consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter scheme. Instead, the poem relies on the musicality of its language and the imagery it evokes to create a powerful emotional impact on the reader.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his past self, before he "knocked" on the door of life. The use of the word "knocked" is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker sees life as a door that he had to open to enter. The speaker then describes his past self as a "stranger" who was "lost" and "lonely." This suggests that the speaker had a sense of alienation and disconnection from the world around him.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes how he found his identity and purpose in life. He says that he "found" himself in the "mirror" of his own reflection. This suggests that the speaker discovered his true self by looking within himself, rather than seeking validation from others. The use of the word "mirror" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker sees himself as a reflection of the world around him.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful and emotional part of the poem. The speaker describes how he remembers his past self, who was "crying" and "afraid." This suggests that the speaker has a sense of empathy and compassion for his past self, and that he recognizes the pain and suffering that he went through. The use of the word "remember" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker has a strong connection to his past and that he values his memories.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. He says that he knows that he will "die" one day, but that he is not afraid. This suggests that the speaker has come to terms with his mortality and that he sees death as a natural part of life. The use of the word "knock" is also significant here, as it suggests that the speaker sees death as a door that he will eventually have to open.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker reflects on the legacy that he will leave behind after he dies. He says that he will leave behind "footprints" and "echoes" that will remind others of his existence. This suggests that the speaker sees himself as a part of a larger community, and that he believes that his life has meaning and significance.
In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the present moment and the beauty of life. He says that he is "happy" and that he sees the world as a "garden" full of "flowers." This suggests that the speaker has found joy and contentment in the present moment, and that he sees the world as a place of beauty and wonder.
Overall, "Before I Knocked" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of identity, memory, and mortality. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery, musicality, and complex themes. It is a testament to Dylan Thomas's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing. If you have not yet read this masterpiece, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
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