I have Longed to Move Away
The narrative revolves around a young man's desire for independence and escape from his mundane life. He feels stifled by the conventions of society and yearns to break free, seeking adventure and self-discovery in distant lands. The protagonist's introspection reveals a sense of disillusionment with the status quo, as he grapples with the constraints of his own identity and the expectations placed upon him. His longing for escape is not merely a physical desire but also an emotional one, driven by a need to transcend the limitations of his current existence. Throughout the narrative, themes of alienation, rebellion, and the search for meaning are explored, as the protagonist navigates the complexities of growing up and finding his place in the world.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1944 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Psychological · 189 words
First lines
I have longed to move away From the hissing of the spent lie And the old terrors' continual cry Growing more terrible as the day
Goes over the hill into the deep sea; I have longed to move away From the repetition of salutes, For there are ghosts in the air And ghostly echoes on paper,
And the thunder of calls and notes.
I have longed to move away but am afraid; Some life, yet unspent, might explode Out of the old lie burning on the ground, And, crackling into the air, leave me half-blind.
What this Textopian page supports
I have Longed to Move Away is listed on Textopian as a poem by Dylan Thomas, dated 1944 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: 1944 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Psychological, Symbolism, Lyric
- Length: 189 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as rhyme, meter, and imagery.
- Modernist — The themes of alienation, existential dread, and the use of fragmented imagery align with Modernist literary characteristics.
- Psychological — The exploration of internal conflict and fear reflects a deep psychological introspection.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic language, such as 'ghosts' and 'old terrors,' conveys deeper meanings beyond the literal text.
Tags
Autobiographical · Poetic · Memoir · Literary · Prose · Nonfiction · Biographical · Personal · Emotional · Reflective · Introspective · Psychological