The Force That Through The Green Fuse Drives The Flower - A poem by Dylan Thomas

Poet: Dylan Thomas
Poem: The Force That Through The Green Fuse Drives The Flower
Volume: 18 Poems
Year: Published/Written in 1934

Comment 2 of 2, added on July 28th, 2006 at 10:09 AM.

I believe the "hangman's lime" (not"line") must refer to some sticky substance (like bird lime (?) that makes it easier to end a life.

savari phaeton from United States

Comment 1 of 2, added on January 14th, 2006 at 10:56 AM.

THE FORCE THAT THROUGH THE GREEN FUSE . this poem is one of a romantic genre.It features aspect of nature describing plant life,gas exchange,photosynthesis,then relaying this understanding to human life.He is introspective and reflects on the natural life around i.e the elements,stars,rocks and water.The first 3 lines reveal the tone ie his thoughts.

Verse 2.Unconscious experiences are explored with more interest stanza 6 &7 ,the imagery provided their are of natures elements-almost metaphysical.In stanza 9 & 10 emotional feelings and personal thoughts reveal this to be a ROMANTIC Poem.

Verse 3 has a metaphysical ring to it
stanza 11 'the hand that whirls the water'
stanza 13 'hauls my shroud sail' shroud adds religious significance to the verse.The whole poem is one of form enacting content it is simple in description,good imagery is used.

Each stanza builds a sense of feeling,helping create a mental picture .The last 2 lines of the verse go on to indicate Dylans in -ability to accept why people mentally detach themselves to harm others eg

stanza 14'and i am dumb to tell the hanging man'
stanza 15'how my clay is made the hangmans line'
translated from metaphor "i do not know how to tell the man to be hung that the executioner makes a good living doing this" basically the dog -eat-dog mentality of people.
stanza 21'the lips of time leech to the fountainhead' the metaphor translates to "time is coming and will not stop for anyone"

stanza 22 'love drips and gathers, but the fallen blood'
stanza 23'shall calm her shores' these are metaphors,translated 'the love that drips and gathers' thats the positive thinkers.
The fallen blood ,the NEGATIVE THINKERS,
'shall calm her shores' relates to "fall wayside"

To anyone reading this poem it appears that the STARK REALITY OF LIFE APPEARS TO HAVE STRUCK DYLAN HERE,as he see's the world as cruel place.

stanza 19 & 20 revwal his inner thoughts,plus use of good imagery.

verse 5 reveals his inner thoughts,basically he does not understand the necessary life changing decisions people have to take. eg

stanza 21'and i am dumbs to tell the lovers tomb'
stanza 22 'how at my sheet goes the same crooked worm'

The poem is written in 5 verses of of which 4 are 5 line stanzas and the last verse 2 line stanza.
There is a lot of para-rhyme in the first two verses,VERSE 1 is A,BA,BA.
VERSE 2 C,D,C,D,C .

The forth line of verse 1.2.3 and the top line of verse 4 and 5 are the repition of the same words 'I AM DUMB TO TELL' .

jagatdeep from United Kingdom

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