Analyzing Parallelism in Thomas and Yeats

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 12 views

Sound and Structure in Poems by Dylan Thomas and W. B. Yeats: A Comparative Analysis

Poetry is a unique form of literature that not only conveys emotions and ideas but also employs various literary devices to create a lasting impact on the reader. Two of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, Dylan Thomas and W. B. Yeats, are known for their mastery of sound and structure in their poems. In this article, we will delve into the world of parallelism, a literary device that adds depth and complexity to poetry, and analyze how Thomas and Yeats employ it in their works.

Parallelism: A Key to Understanding Poetic Structure

Parallelism is a literary device that involves the repetition of similar words, phrases, or structures in a poem to create a sense of balance and harmony. It can be used to emphasize a particular idea, create a sense of rhythm, or even to convey a sense of contrast. In the context of poetry, parallelism is often used to create a sense of musicality, making the poem more engaging and memorable.

Dylan Thomas: A Master of Parallelism

Dylan Thomas is known for his rich and expressive poetry, which often employs parallelism to create a sense of musicality. In his poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night," Thomas uses parallelism to convey the urgency and passion of the speaker's message. The poem begins with the lines:

"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."

Here, Thomas uses parallelism to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis, repeating the phrase "do not go gentle" and "rage, rage" to convey the speaker's message. The use of parallelism in this poem creates a sense of urgency and passion, drawing the reader into the speaker's world.

W. B. Yeats: A Poet of Contrast

W. B. Yeats is known for his complex and nuanced poetry, which often employs parallelism to create a sense of contrast. In his poem "The Second Coming," Yeats uses parallelism to convey the idea of chaos and disorder. The poem begins with the lines:

"Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world."

Here, Yeats uses parallelism to create a sense of contrast, repeating the phrase "things fall apart" and "the centre cannot hold" to convey the idea of chaos and disorder. The use of parallelism in this poem creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, drawing the reader into the world of the poem.

Analyzing Parallelism in Thomas and Yeats

To analyze parallelism in Thomas and Yeats, we need to look at the way they use repetition and structure in their poems. In Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night," the repetition of the phrase "do not go gentle" and "rage, rage" creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis, drawing the reader into the speaker's world. In Yeats's "The Second Coming," the repetition of the phrase "things fall apart" and "the centre cannot hold" creates a sense of contrast, conveying the idea of chaos and disorder.

The Role of Sound in Parallelism

Sound plays a crucial role in parallelism, as it creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. In Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night," the repetition of the phrase "do not go gentle" and "rage, rage" creates a sense of rhythm, drawing the reader into the speaker's world. In Yeats's "The Second Coming," the repetition of the phrase "things fall apart" and "the centre cannot hold" creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, drawing the reader into the world of the poem.

The Role of Structure in Parallelism

Structure also plays a crucial role in parallelism, as it creates a sense of balance and harmony in the poem. In Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night," the repetition of the phrase "do not go gentle" and "rage, rage" creates a sense of balance, drawing the reader into the speaker's world. In Yeats's "The Second Coming," the repetition of the phrase "things fall apart" and "the centre cannot hold" creates a sense of contrast, conveying the idea of chaos and disorder.

In conclusion, parallelism is a key literary device used by poets to create a sense of balance and harmony in their poems. Dylan Thomas and W. B. Yeats are two of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and their use of parallelism in their poems is a testament to their mastery of sound and structure. By analyzing the way Thomas and Yeats use parallelism in their poems, we can gain a deeper understanding of the role of sound and structure in poetry, and how they can be used to create a lasting impact on the reader.

Thomas, D. (1951). Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night. In Collected Poems 1934-1952 (pp. 226-227).
Yeats, W. B. (1921). The Second Coming. In The Tower (pp. 222-223).

The Oxford Handbook of Modern and Contemporary Poetry (2013)
The Cambridge Companion to Dylan Thomas (2001)
The Cambridge Companion to W. B. Yeats (2006)

Parallelism: A literary device that involves the repetition of similar words, phrases, or structures in a poem to create a sense of balance and harmony.
Sound: The way words are used to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in a poem.
Structure: The way a poem is organized to create a sense of balance and harmony.
Q&A: Sound and Structure in Poems by Dylan Thomas and W. B. Yeats

Q: What is parallelism in poetry?

A: Parallelism is a literary device that involves the repetition of similar words, phrases, or structures in a poem to create a sense of balance and harmony. It can be used to emphasize a particular idea, create a sense of rhythm, or even to convey a sense of contrast.

Q: How does parallelism contribute to the overall effect of a poem?

A: Parallelism contributes to the overall effect of a poem by creating a sense of rhythm and musicality. It can also be used to emphasize a particular idea or to convey a sense of contrast. In the case of Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night," parallelism creates a sense of urgency and passion, drawing the reader into the speaker's world.

Q: What is the role of sound in parallelism?

A: Sound plays a crucial role in parallelism, as it creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. The repetition of similar sounds or rhythms can create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.

Q: How does structure contribute to parallelism?

A: Structure plays a crucial role in parallelism, as it creates a sense of balance and harmony in the poem. The repetition of similar structures or patterns can create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.

Q: Can you give an example of parallelism in Dylan Thomas's poetry?

A: Yes, in Dylan Thomas's poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night," the repetition of the phrase "do not go gentle" and "rage, rage" creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis, drawing the reader into the speaker's world.

Q: Can you give an example of parallelism in W. B. Yeats's poetry?

A: Yes, in W. B. Yeats's poem "The Second Coming," the repetition of the phrase "things fall apart" and "the centre cannot hold" creates a sense of contrast, conveying the idea of chaos and disorder.

Q: How can I identify parallelism in a poem?

A: To identify parallelism in a poem, look for the repetition of similar words, phrases, or structures. Pay attention to the way the poet uses sound and structure to create a sense of rhythm and balance.

Q: What are some common techniques used in parallelism?

A: Some common techniques used in parallelism include:

Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.
Epistrophe: The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or lines.
Epanalepsis: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a clause or line.
Polysyndeton: The use of multiple conjunctions to connect words or phrases.

Q: How can I use parallelism in my own writing?

A: To use parallelism in your own writing, try repeating similar words, phrases, or structures to create a sense of rhythm and balance. Experiment with different techniques, such as anaphora, epistrophe, epanalepsis, and polysyndeton, to create a unique and effective parallelism.

Q: What are some tips for using parallelism effectively?

A: Some tips for using parallelism effectively include:

Use parallelism sparingly: Parallelism can be effective when used in moderation, but overuse can make the poem feel forced or artificial.
Choose the right words: Select words that are meaningful and relevant to the poem's theme and message.
Experiment with different techniques: Try different techniques, such as anaphora, epistrophe, epanalepsis, and polysyndeton, to create a unique and effective parallelism.
Pay attention to sound and structure: Use sound and structure to create a sense of rhythm and balance in the poem.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using parallelism?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using parallelism include:

Overuse: Using parallelism too frequently can make the poem feel forced or artificial.
Inconsistent repetition: Failing to repeat similar words, phrases, or structures consistently can disrupt the poem's rhythm and balance.
Poor word choice: Selecting words that are not meaningful or relevant to the poem's theme and message can undermine the effectiveness of parallelism.
Ignoring sound and structure: Failing to use sound and structure to create a sense of rhythm and balance can make the poem feel disjointed or confusing.