How Shall the Animal by Dylan Thomas
The narrative revolves around a young boy's encounter with an animal that may be a dog, a wolf, or something else entirely. The story explores the complexities of human and animal relationships, blurring the lines between species. It delves into themes of identity, loneliness, and the search for connection in a seemingly indifferent world.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1946 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Modernist · 353 words
First lines
How shall the animal / Whose way I trace / Into the dark recesses / Be durable
Under such weight as bows me down, / The bitter certainty of waste, / The knowing that I hatch a thought / To see it crushed / Beneath your foot, my bantering Philistine?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions about purpose, existence, and the nature of being.
- Modernist — The style reflects modernist characteristics with its abstract imagery and introspective tone.
- Symbolism — The text employs symbolic language to convey deeper meanings about life and human experience.
Tags
Poetry · Short Story · Animal Rights · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Existentialism · Philosophy · Human Condition · Morality · Ethics · Critique of Society · Psychological Insight
What this Textopian page supports
How Shall the Animal is listed on Textopian as a poem by Dylan Thomas, dated 1946 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Dylan Thomas
- Date: 1946 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Modernist, Symbolism, Nature
- Length: 353 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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