'Sorry' by R.S. Thomas
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Dear parents,
I forgive you my life,
Begotten in a drab town,
The intention was good;
Passing the street now,
I see still the remains of sunlight.It was not the bone buckled;
You gave me enough food
To renew myself.
It was the mind's weight
Kept me bent, as I grew tall.It was not your fault.
What should have gone on,
Arrow aimed from a tried bow
At a tried target, has turned back,
Wounding itself
With questions you had not asked.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into R.S. Thomas' "Sorry"
Grab your thinking caps and pour a cup of tea, because we're about to dive into the world of Welsh poet R.S. Thomas and his work "Sorry." In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, motifs, and symbols that make this poem a timeless classic.
Background on R.S. Thomas
Before we jump into the poem, let's take a moment to learn about the poet who wrote it. R.S. Thomas was a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who lived from 1913 to 2000. He is considered one of the greatest Welsh poets of the 20th century, and his work is known for its deep spirituality and its exploration of Welsh identity.
Thomas was born in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, and he later moved to a small village in the north of the country. He wrote poetry throughout his life, but his early work was heavily influenced by the Welsh landscape and the Welsh language. Later in life, his poetry became more focused on spirituality and the human condition.
Now that we have some context on Thomas, let's delve into "Sorry."
The Poem: "Sorry"
Sorry I said to the sea, and I hated myself, for it, as I stood in the rain on the shore.
We'll start with the first stanza of the poem. The speaker addresses the sea, saying "Sorry." This is a powerful opening line, as it immediately sets a tone of regret and sadness. We don't yet know what the speaker is apologizing for, but we can feel the weight of it.
The speaker then says that they "hated" themselves for saying sorry. This is an interesting twist, as we might expect the speaker to feel relieved or cathartic after apologizing. Instead, they feel worse. This suggests that the apology was either insincere or that the speaker is carrying a deep sense of guilt.
Finally, we get a physical description of the scene: the speaker is standing in the rain on the shore. This sets a mood of melancholy and isolation. The speaker is alone with their thoughts and feelings, and the rain and sea amplify their sadness.
Sorry, I meant, for the small chance I had of being heroic.
In the second stanza, the speaker clarifies what they are sorry for. They "meant" to apologize for a "small chance" they had of being "heroic." This is a fascinating line, as it suggests that the speaker had an opportunity to do something brave or noble, but they failed to follow through.
The use of the word "heroic" is also significant. It suggests that the speaker had a chance to do something that would have been celebrated or remembered by others. Perhaps they were offered a chance to save someone's life, or to stand up for a cause they believed in. Whatever the opportunity was, the fact that the speaker regrets not taking it suggests that it was significant.
Sorry I said, for the stupidity of it, and the evidence of my being alive.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker says that they are sorry for the "stupidity" of what they did, and for the "evidence of my being alive." These lines are open to interpretation, but here are a few possible readings:
- The speaker is sorry for the foolishness of not taking the opportunity to be heroic. They feel that their inaction was a mistake, and that they should have acted differently.
- The speaker is sorry for the fact that they are alive. This is a dark interpretation, but it's possible that the speaker is feeling such intense guilt and regret that they wish they weren't alive anymore.
- The speaker is sorry for the fact that they are a flawed, imperfect human being. They are apologizing for their very existence, as if they feel that they are a burden or a disappointment to others.
Regardless of which interpretation you prefer, the final lines of the poem are haunting and powerful. They leave the reader with a sense of sadness and regret, but also with a desire to understand the speaker's motivations and emotions.
Themes and Motifs in "Sorry"
Now that we've analyzed the poem line by line, let's zoom out and look at some of the broader themes and motifs that are present in "Sorry."
Regret and Guilt
The most obvious theme of "Sorry" is regret and guilt. The speaker is clearly haunted by something that they did (or didn't do), and they feel an intense sense of remorse. This is a universal human emotion that we can all relate to, whether we've missed an opportunity, hurt someone we love, or made a mistake that we can't undo.
Heroism
The idea of heroism is also present in the poem, albeit in a more subtle way. The speaker regrets not taking a chance to be heroic, which suggests that they value bravery and selflessness. This is an interesting contrast to the overall mood of the poem, which is one of sadness and isolation. It suggests that the speaker is capable of great things, but that they are held back by their own fears and doubts.
Nature
The setting of the poem is also significant. The sea and the rain create a mood of melancholy and isolation, which reflects the speaker's emotional state. At the same time, nature is also a source of comfort and beauty. The sea is vast and powerful, and it reminds us that we are small in the grand scheme of things. This can be both humbling and comforting, depending on your perspective.
Spirituality
Finally, it's worth noting that R.S. Thomas was a deeply spiritual poet, and this is reflected in "Sorry." The poem has a sense of existential angst that is common in many religious traditions. The speaker is grappling with big questions about the meaning of life and their place in the world. While the poem doesn't offer any easy answers, it does invite us to reflect on our own spiritual beliefs and values.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! A deep dive into R.S. Thomas' "Sorry." We've explored the themes, motifs, and symbols that make this poem a timeless classic. Whether you're a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the genre, I hope this analysis has given you a greater appreciation for the power and beauty of poetry.
As for me, I'm off to pour another cup of tea and dive into some more R.S. Thomas. Who knows what insights his words will bring?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Analysis of R.S. Thomas' "Sorry"
R.S. Thomas' poem "Sorry" is a poignant and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of regret, loss, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the speaker's past mistakes and the ways in which they have affected his life. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a haunting tone, Thomas creates a powerful and moving work of poetry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human.
The Poem
Before delving into the analysis of the poem, it is important to first provide a full text of the poem:
"Sorry"
A world without him, cold and dark, And yet he was too proud to say He was sorry. He, who had seen So many deaths that he had lost Count, and could not love again, Was too proud to say he was sorry.
And so the world went on without Him, cold and dark, and he was left Alone with his regrets, and the weight Of all the things he could not say.
Sorry, he thought, but the word Was too heavy for his tongue, too hard To say, and so he remained silent, And the world went on without him.
Analysis
Structure
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. The consistent structure of the poem creates a sense of order and control, which is in contrast to the chaotic and emotional content of the poem.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is powerful and evocative. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the image of a "world without him, cold and dark." This image creates a sense of emptiness and loss, which is echoed throughout the rest of the poem. The use of the word "cold" is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of emotional distance and detachment.
The second stanza introduces the idea of pride, with the speaker stating that the subject of the poem was "too proud to say he was sorry." This image is powerful, as it creates a sense of stubbornness and resistance to change. The use of the word "too" emphasizes the extent of the subject's pride, and suggests that it is a major obstacle to his ability to move forward.
The third stanza introduces the idea of regret, with the speaker stating that the subject was "left alone with his regrets, and the weight / Of all the things he could not say." This image is particularly powerful, as it creates a sense of burden and emotional weight. The use of the word "weight" emphasizes the extent of the subject's regret, and suggests that it is a heavy burden to bear.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker stating that the subject remained silent and the world went on without him. This image is particularly haunting, as it suggests that the subject's pride and regret have caused him to become isolated and disconnected from the world around him.
Metaphors
The poem is full of powerful metaphors that add depth and complexity to the imagery. The first stanza introduces the metaphor of a "world without him, cold and dark." This metaphor creates a sense of emptiness and loss, and suggests that the subject of the poem is somehow essential to the world around him.
The second stanza introduces the metaphor of pride as a barrier to communication. The speaker states that the subject was "too proud to say he was sorry," which suggests that his pride is preventing him from connecting with others and expressing his emotions.
The third stanza introduces the metaphor of regret as a weight that the subject must carry. The speaker states that the subject was "left alone with his regrets, and the weight / Of all the things he could not say." This metaphor creates a sense of burden and emotional weight, and suggests that the subject's regret is a heavy burden to bear.
Tone
The tone of the poem is haunting and melancholic. The use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of loss and regret that permeates the entire poem. The repetition of the phrase "cold and dark" throughout the poem emphasizes the sense of emotional distance and detachment that the subject of the poem feels.
Theme
The central theme of the poem is regret and the ways in which it can isolate and disconnect us from the world around us. The subject of the poem is consumed by his regret, and his pride prevents him from connecting with others and expressing his emotions. The poem suggests that regret can be a heavy burden to bear, and that it can prevent us from living fully in the present.
Conclusion
R.S. Thomas' poem "Sorry" is a powerful and moving work of poetry that explores the themes of regret, loss, and the human condition. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a haunting tone, Thomas creates a work that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. The poem is a reminder that regret can be a heavy burden to bear, and that it is important to express our emotions and connect with others in order to live fully in the present.
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