Praise to the Architects
The poem explores themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence. It presents a vision of life as a brief, shining moment, followed by an eternal darkness. The speaker reflects on the transience of human endeavors, including art and architecture, which are ultimately subject to decay and oblivion.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1949 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Surrealism · 175 words
First lines
Praise to the architects; Dramatic shadows in a tin box; Nonstop; stoppress; vinegar from wisecracks; Praise to the architects;
Radio's a building in the air; The poster is today's text, The message comes from negro mystics, An old chatterbox, barenaveled at Nice, Who steps on the gas;
Praise to the architects; A pome's a building on a page; Keatings is good for lice, A pinch of Auden is the lion's feast; Praise to the architects;
Empty, To Let, are signs on this new house; To leave it empty lion's or louse's choice; Lion or louse? Take your own advice; Praise to the architects.
What this Textopian page supports
Praise to the Architects is listed on Textopian as a poem by Dylan Thomas, dated 1949 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: 1949 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Surrealism, Social Commentary
- Length: 175 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, imagery, and metaphor.
- Modernist — The text exhibits characteristics of modernist literature, including fragmented structure and abstract themes.
- Surrealism — The imagery and juxtapositions present in the text suggest a surrealist influence.
- Social Commentary — The work contains elements of critique on contemporary society and culture.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Fiction · Wales · Welsh Literature · 20th Century · Modernism · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allusion · Mythology · Cultural Heritage