How does Dylan Thomas pay respect to his aunt in the poem “After the Funeral”?
After the Funeral is a notable literary work by Dylan Thomas. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the main text, key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary Devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of After the Funeral.
Answer
How does Dylan Thomas pay respect to his aunt in the poem “After the Funeral”?
In Dylan Thomas‘s (1914-53) poem “After the Funeral,” the poet pays tribute to his aunt, who has recently passed away. The poem is filled with imagery and language that reflects the poet’s deep love and respect for his aunt.
Kind and nurturing nature: Dylan Thomas respects his aunt by describing her as a gentle and nurturing presence. Her mind was numbed with intense suffering-“wits drilled hollow.” Her face appeared like a clenched fist as the muscles strained due to the strain in the last moments of anguish. She was a lady of 70 years old with a golden heart.
“And sculptured Ann is seventy years of stone.”
She was so hard working that her flesh was meek as milk, but her hands were scrubbed due to heavy work. Ann was full of politeness with a wild breast.
Role of Aunt Ann Jones: The poet also acknowledges the important role that his aunt played in his development. His aunt that she was a lady of 70 years old with a golden heart. She was an honest religious lady who enjoyed her life by helping every needy person.
Tribute to Aunt Ann Jones: In addition to these more direct ways of paying tribute to his aunt, Dylan Thomas uses imagery and language to create a sense of reverence. She also drowned the sun with her tremendous warmth and the radiance of her love.
Magnified out of praise; her death was a still drop;
She would not have me sinking in the holy
Flood of her heart’s fame; she would lie dumb and deep
And need no druid of her broken body).
Thus, Dylan Thomas respects his aunt in “After the Funeral.” He highlights her kind and nurturing nature, acknowledging her importance in his own life and using powerful imagery and language to convey the significance of her passing.