Write a note on Dylan Thomas as a modern poet

Answer

Write a note on Dylan Thomas as a modern poet. [NU: 2021]

Dylan Thomas (1914–1953) was a famous 20th-century Welsh poet. He wrote in the modern age. We find many qualities of a modern poet in his works. Thomas’s most famous works are “Poem in October” and “Fern Hill,” both collected in his 1946 book “Deaths and Entrances.” His poetry is rich, musical, and emotional. His poems often mix reality and imagination, past and present, nature and personal feelings; these are all modern qualities. 

Deep Personal Emotions: Modern poets deal with deep human emotions. In their poems, they bring out how they, or any modern people, feel happy, sad, lonely, isolated, or nostalgic. Dylan Thomas is no exception. In “Poem in October” and “Fern Hill,” Thomas writes about his nostalgia for childhood. He portrays childhood as a time of joy and innocence. As a boy, he found deep joy in nature. In “Poem in October,” he takes a morning walk to the Welsh countryside on his thirtieth birthday. As he walks, he enjoys the early morning nature of the “harbour and neighbour wood.” He walks in the Autumn rain. The rain is showering down on him and bringing back his memories. As he writes:

“I rose

In rainy autumn

And walked abroad in a shower of all my days.”

The poet climbs a hill. Suddenly, the weather changes. He sees bright summer-like sunlight. The warm light brings back his childhood memories when he walked with his mother. He writes:

“And I saw… a child’s

Forgotten mornings when he walked with his mother”

Hence, beautiful nature reminds the poet of his childhood joy. This theme of deep human emotions is a quality of modern poetry.

Use of Free Form: Modern poets do not often follow a strict poetic structure. They experiment with the form and structure. We find this in “Poem in October.”