Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) was a Welsh poet who was set apart from his contemporaries because of the passion displayed in his poetry which “was refreshingly at odds with the cooler tones of poets like Auden and Spender who were dominant at the time,” according to the Poetry Archive. The passion with which he wrote his poetry was also on display in his personal life. Thomas was notorious for his heavy drinking habit, and his love of the opposite sex. The BBC wrote, “Not since Byron had someone so captured the public imagination for living the archetypal poet's life. Just as Thomas’ personal life captured the imaginations of many, so did his poems, which are steeped with imagery of the natural world.” By looking at the common themes that run throughout Dylan Thomas’ work, his personal life, and the influence he had on others who are influential in their own right, a person can better understand Thomas’ poetry, and recognize why it has endured.
Emily, this is great. I like that you picked a topic that you certainly seem familiar with but also passionate about. I'm looking forward to learning more about his work -- hopefully hearing some of it?
ReplyDeleteI did find a few clips of Thomas reading his own poetry... As well as one of Rodney Dangerfield reciting a Thomas poem in Back to School...
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Glad you could find some. Thanks for sharing those.
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