Exciting Comparison of Two Elegies
Which two poems are being compared and contrasted?
We are going to compare and contrast "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas and "When We Are Old" by William Butler Yeats. What are the differences and similarities between these two renowned poems?
Answer:
Both 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' by Dylan Thomas and 'When We Are Old' by William Butler Yeats are elegies with different tones and themes.
Comparing and Contrasting 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' by Dylan Thomas and 'When We Are Old' by William Butler Yeats:
Tone:
The tone in 'Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night' is intense, urgent, and passionate. Thomas uses strong and forceful language to encourage his father to fight against death and not give in easily. On the other hand, the tone in 'When We Are Old' is reflective, nostalgic, and resigned. Yeats contemplates the passage of time and reflects on lost youth and unfulfilled desires.
Theme:
The theme of 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' is the importance of fighting against death and embracing life fully. Thomas encourages his father to resist death and not accept its inevitability. In contrast, the theme of 'When We Are Old' is the acceptance of aging and the passage of time. Yeats reflects on the regret and unfulfilled desires that accompany old age.