Poem Analysis - Altarwise By Owl Light

A Labyrinth of Life and Death: An Introduction

Dylan Thomas's "Altarwise by Owl-light" is a dense and challenging poem, a descent into the subconscious grappling with themes of mortality, creation, and the cyclical nature of existence. Its tone is intensely symbolic and often surreal, moving through phases of darkness and fragmented illumination. The poem assaults the reader with vivid, often grotesque imagery, creating a disorienting experience that mirrors the speaker's internal struggle. Shifting perspectives and cryptic allusions make understanding this poem feel like navigating a dreamscape.

Biblical Echoes and The Fall

The poem is steeped in Biblical allusions, particularly to the story of Adam and Eve and the Fall. References to "Abaddon," "Adam," the "lamb on knocking knees," and "Eve" all point to the origin of sin and the consequences of mortality. The image of "Abaddon in the hangnail cracked from Adam" suggests that destruction and decay are inherent in humanity from its very origin. The poem uses these references to explore how death is a constant presence and consequence of our very nature.

The Cycle of Life, Death, and Rebirth

A central theme is the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, presented through striking and often disturbing imagery. The "gentleman lay graveward" and "Death is all metaphors, shape in one history" indicate an acceptance of death as a transformation. The "child that sucketh long is shooting up" portrays growth and decay as intertwined processes. The poem continually juxtaposes images of creation and destruction, highlighting the interconnectedness of these opposing forces. The line "twice spring chimed" also suggests the cyclical nature and the repeated return of life, even after periods of death or stagnation.

Symbolism of Light and Darkness

Light and darkness are recurring symbols throughout the poem. The title itself, "Altarwise by Owl-light," establishes a setting that is both sacred ("altarwise") and shrouded in shadow ("owl-light"). This ambiguity reflects the speaker's uncertain journey through life and death. Images such as "penny-eyed" and the "short spark" suggest fleeting moments of illumination in a world dominated by darkness. The speaker's internal struggle involves searching for understanding in a world that often feels obscure and incomprehensible, and finding the answers by owl-light.

The "Gentleman of Wounds": A Complex Figure

The figure of the "gentleman of wounds" is a complex and ambiguous symbol. He is described as "old cock from nowheres and the heaven's egg," suggesting a paradoxical nature that embodies both the earthly and the divine. His "bones unbuttoned to the half-way winds" and his origin "hatched from the windy salvage on one leg" depict him as broken and incomplete, yet also resilient. Is he an allegorical representation of the speaker or the poet himself? This is a question that remains unresolved, contributing to the poem's enigmatic and challenging character.

Final Reflections

"Altarwise by Owl-light" is a deeply introspective poem that grapples with profound questions about the nature of existence. It is a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche, where the boundaries between life and death blur. While the poem's density and ambiguity can be challenging, its powerful imagery and symbolic language offer a glimpse into the cyclical nature of existence, challenging us to confront our own mortality and the forces of creation and destruction that shape our world. The poem shows us that in even the most challenging states, there is a cyclical way of going to the end and starting once again.