'Album' by R.S. Thomas

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My father is dead.
I who am look at him
who is not, as once he
went looking for me
in the woman who was.There are pictures
of the two of them, noneed of a third, hand
in hand, hearts willing
to be one but not three.What does it mean
life?I am here I am
there.Look!Suddenly
the young tool in their hands
for hurting one another.And the camera says:
Smile; there is no wound
time gives that is not bandaged
by time.And so they do thethree of them at me who weep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Album by R.S. Thomas: A Masterpiece of Welsh Poetry

Album is a collection of poems written by the Welsh poet, R.S. Thomas, who is considered one of the greatest poets of Wales in the 20th century. Published in 1970, Album contains thirty-six poems that explore the themes of memory, identity, language, and spirituality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the key features of Album, its significance, and its relevance today.

Background

R.S. Thomas was born in Cardiff in 1913 and grew up in Holyhead, a small town on the island of Anglesey, North Wales. He studied Classics at the University of Wales, Bangor, and then became a priest in the Church of Wales. He served as a vicar in several parishes in Wales for over thirty years, during which time he wrote poetry. His poems are known for their sparse and austere language, their deep religious and philosophical themes, and their exploration of the Welsh countryside and its people.

Structure and Themes

Album is a collection of poems that are highly structured and tightly woven. The poems are divided into three sections, each of which contains twelve poems. The first section explores the themes of memory and identity, the second section focuses on language, and the third section deals with spirituality and transcendence. The poems are highly interrelated, and many of them refer to each other, creating a sense of a unified whole.

Memory and Identity

The first section of Album explores the themes of memory and identity. The poems reflect on the poet's childhood, his family, his ancestors, and his Welsh heritage. The poems are deeply personal and emotional, and they reveal the poet's sense of loss and longing for a past that is no longer accessible.

In the poem "Welsh Landscape," the poet describes a landscape that is both beautiful and haunting:

A small country. A stubborn people.
And a language

Not like any other on earth.

Dai, let the landscape speak
For itself.

It has valleys, dark under the sea,
Cliffs, where the seabirds are dizzy

At nesting time; farms, that are the only
Patch of greenness on the peninsula.

There is the heather, on the slopes;
The light that flows from the lake

On to the moors, where the buzzard
Has his secret mewl.

And everywhere the crash of waves
On the long shores,

But even more than this
The mountains,

Grow darker
With their burden of memory.

The poem evokes a sense of the Welsh landscape as a place of beauty and mystery but also as a place that is haunted by the memory of its past. The poet's use of language is spare and unadorned, yet it creates a powerful sense of place and emotion.

Language

The second section of Album explores the theme of language. The poems are concerned with the Welsh language and its place in Welsh culture, history, and identity. The poet reflects on the history of the Welsh language, its decline, and its revival, and on the role of language in defining Welsh identity.

In the poem "Welsh History," the poet reflects on the history of the Welsh language and its place in Welsh culture:

I speak for the land, that

Was once a nation in its own right,

When I say that the language

Is the only thing that is truly ours.

The poem suggests that the Welsh language is the only true marker of Welsh identity and that without it, Welsh culture would cease to exist. The poet's use of language is powerful and evocative, and it conveys a sense of urgency and passion.

Spirituality and Transcendence

The third section of Album explores the theme of spirituality and transcendence. The poems are concerned with the poet's search for meaning and purpose in life, his relationship with God, and his sense of awe and wonder at the natural world.

In the poem "Song," the poet reflects on his relationship with God and his sense of awe at the natural world:

I am singing to you, God.

Not because you are

A God, but because you are

All the things that I

Love and that are beautiful:

The light on the hills,

The sun on the sea,

The scent of the gorse

And the heather.

The poem suggests that the poet finds God in the beauty and wonder of the natural world and that his relationship with God is intimately connected to his sense of awe and wonder.

Significance and Relevance

Album is a significant work of Welsh poetry that explores the themes of memory, identity, language, and spirituality with great depth and sensitivity. The poems are highly structured and tightly woven, creating a sense of a unified whole that reflects the poet's sense of Welsh identity and his deep connection to the natural world.

The collection is also relevant today, as it reflects the ongoing struggle for Welsh identity and the importance of language and culture in shaping that identity. The poems speak to a sense of loss and longing for a past that is no longer accessible, yet they also celebrate the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the power of spirituality and transcendence.

Conclusion

Album is a masterpiece of Welsh poetry that explores the themes of memory, identity, language, and spirituality with great depth and sensitivity. The poems are highly structured and tightly woven, creating a sense of a unified whole that reflects the poet's sense of Welsh identity and his deep connection to the natural world. The collection is also relevant today, as it speaks to the ongoing struggle for Welsh identity and the importance of language and culture in shaping that identity. Overall, Album is a powerful and evocative work of poetry that deserves a place among the greatest works of Welsh literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Album by R.S. Thomas is a classic collection of poems that has stood the test of time. This collection is a testament to the poet's mastery of language and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, style, and language used in the Poetry Album.

The Poetry Album is a collection of 43 poems that were written by R.S. Thomas between 1946 and 1967. The poems in this collection are a reflection of the poet's life experiences and his observations of the world around him. The themes in this collection are varied, but they all revolve around the human experience. The themes include love, loss, nature, religion, and the human condition.

One of the most striking features of the Poetry Album is the poet's use of language. R.S. Thomas was a master of language, and his use of words is both powerful and evocative. The language used in this collection is simple yet profound, and it is this simplicity that makes the poems accessible to a wide audience. The poet's use of imagery is also noteworthy. He uses vivid and powerful imagery to create a sense of place and to evoke emotions in the reader.

The style of the Poetry Album is also worth noting. R.S. Thomas was known for his sparse and direct style, and this is evident in the poems in this collection. The poems are short and to the point, and there is no unnecessary language or filler. The poet's use of form is also interesting. He uses a variety of forms, including sonnets, free verse, and haikus, to convey his message.

One of the most powerful themes in the Poetry Album is religion. R.S. Thomas was a Welsh Anglican priest, and his faith is evident in many of the poems in this collection. The poet grapples with the complexities of faith and the role of religion in the modern world. In the poem "The Kingdom," the poet explores the idea of the kingdom of God and the role of the church in bringing about this kingdom. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of faith and the human condition.

Another powerful theme in the Poetry Album is nature. R.S. Thomas was a lover of nature, and his poems often reflect this love. In the poem "The Moor," the poet describes the beauty of the moor and the sense of peace that it brings. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and a reminder of the importance of preserving it.

Love is also a prominent theme in the Poetry Album. The poet explores the complexities of love and the pain that often accompanies it. In the poem "The Bright Field," the poet describes the joy of falling in love and the fear of losing that love. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of love and the human experience.

Loss is another theme that is explored in the Poetry Album. The poet grapples with the pain of loss and the sense of emptiness that it brings. In the poem "The Other," the poet describes the pain of losing a loved one and the sense of isolation that comes with it. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of loss and the human experience.

In conclusion, the Poetry Album by R.S. Thomas is a classic collection of poems that explores the complexities of the human experience. The themes, style, and language used in this collection are all noteworthy, and they combine to create a powerful and evocative work of art. This collection is a testament to the poet's mastery of language and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience. If you are a lover of poetry, then the Poetry Album is a must-read.

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