Why didn't Dylan Thomas include atheists in his famous poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night?

Question

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x29dayy_dylan-thomas-do-not-go-gentle-into-that-good-night_music
Do they not rage against the dying of the light? What say ye?

Answer 1

I always thought that poem was ABOUT and FOR atheists. Why would a believer object to going home? Our light is not dying. (Neither is the atheist's, but he doesn't know that.)

Answer 2

Well, the poem Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night was written to his father specifically. So Thomas didn't include anyone else in it. Atheist, Buddhist, Christian, whatever.



The real irony in your question is that Thomas' father was "rabidly atheistic"...so, actually, the ONLY person included in this poem was an atheist. So, your assumptions couldn't really be more wrong.



(Fyi - the sentiment in that poem is about as anti-Christian as it gets. I had sort of hoped that since so many Christians here can't grasp science or philosophy or even theology, that they'd at least handle literature. Guess I was hoping for too much there.)

Answer 3

This is silly.



Why not go gently into the good night if there is a golden palace waiting for you?



He didn't need to include it... but you missed the point of the poem.

Answer 4

I think he included everyone without restriction of belief or religion in that excellent poem because he is speaking to all about aging and death. these come to everyone regardless of belief or religion.



The point is why accept aging and moving closer to death as we age quietly, being age appropriate in all things, but instead, why not age rebelliously and go out in a blaze of Glory, meaning, live your life to the fullest and enjoy every waking moment, rage against it means to fight the good fight and not necessarily age gracefully, but enjoy life, really be in it, for there is no returning from death. RAGE!!! he advised his father, an atheist, so it is about an atheist if not all atheist, the man is right. And his good advice fits every person, belief and lack of belief or undecided belief, so yes, he did include atheist in that.

Answer 5

It was written for his father...

The bizarre stupidity that comes out of you amazes me. Take that as a compliment. At least you're original!

Answer 6

Dylan Thomas was an atheist......