Should Lanterns Shine by Dylan Thomas
The narrative revolves around a young boy's journey to understand the complexities of life and death after witnessing a funeral procession. The story explores themes of mortality, innocence, and the passage of time through the protagonist's observations and interactions with others.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1944 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Philosophical · 201 words
First lines
Should lanterns shine, the holy face, / Caught in an octagon of unaccustomed light, / Would wither up, and any boy of love / Look twice before he fell from grace.
The features in their private dark / Are formed of flesh, but let the false day come / And from her lips the added pigments fall, / The mummy cloths expose an ancient breast.
I have been taught to reason by the heart,
But heart, like head, leads helplessly; / I have been told to reason by the pulse, / And, when it quickens, alter the actions' pace / Till field and roof lie level and the same / So fast I move defying time, the quiet gentleman
What this Textopian page supports
Should Lanterns Shine 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, Philosophical, Symbolism
- Length: 201 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Should Lanterns Shine by Dylan Thomas
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Modernist — The themes of existential reflection and the use of abstract imagery align with modernist literary characteristics.
- Philosophical — The poem explores deep philosophical questions about perception, time, and the nature of reality.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic language and imagery, such as 'lanterns' and 'holy face,' suggests deeper meanings beyond the literal.
Tags
Poetry · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Mythology · Folklore · Cultural Heritage · National Identity · Social Commentary · Philosophy · Existentialism