Which lines from the excerpt are refrains? Check all that …

English Questions

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Which lines from the excerpt are refrains? Check all that apply. Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should rave and burn at end of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at the end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they MORE THEN 1 ANSWER

Short Answer

The poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” features key refrains that emphasize its themes of defiance against death, specifically “Do not go gentle into that good night” and “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” This villanelle structure, with its strict rhyme scheme and repetitive lines, enhances the emotional intensity and significance of the speaker’s plea.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the Refrains

In poetry, a refrain refers to lines that are repeated at intervals throughout the poem. In Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night,” the refrains are crucial to its thematic structure. The specific refrains from the poem are:

  • Do not go gentle into that good night;
  • Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Understand the Structure of the Villanelle

The poem is categorized as a villanelle, which is a fixed-form poetic structure consisting of five tercets followed by a quatrain. This form is known for its strict rhyme scheme (ABA) and the repetition of the refrains. Recognizing the structure helps to appreciate how the refrains function to convey the poem’s emotional intensity.

Explore the Significance of the Refrains

The repeated lines serve as a powerful reminder of the poem’s central themes: defiance against death and the struggle to preserve life. Each occurrence of the refrains reinforces the urgency and complexity of the speaker’s plea. By exploring these lines, readers can grasp the deeper meaning and emotional weight behind the poem.

Related Concepts

Refrain

Lines that are repeated at intervals throughout a poem

Villanelle

A fixed-form poetic structure consisting of five tercets followed by a quatrain, known for its strict rhyme scheme and repetition of refrains

Defiance Against Death

The central theme that emphasizes resistance to the inevitability of death and the struggle to maintain life.

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