Poem Analysis - A Letter To My Aunt

A Satirical Guide to Modernism

Dylan Thomas's "A Letter To My Aunt" is a wickedly funny and satirical take on the pretentiousness and often baffling nature of modern art and literature. The poem adopts a mocking tone, ostensibly guiding his aunt on how to become a successful modern artist. It's filled with absurd instructions and cynical observations about the art world, making it clear that Thomas isn't offering genuine advice but rather lampooning the trends and expectations of the era. The poem's mood is predominantly playful and sardonic, with an undercurrent of skepticism toward the perceived intellectual superiority of the modernist movement. There's a gradual build-up to increasingly outrageous suggestions, culminating in a dark and nihilistic view of art and life.

Contextualizing the Critique

While direct biographical links may be speculative, Dylan Thomas wrote this poem during a period where modernism was firmly established, yet faced continued public resistance and misunderstanding. Many of the modernist poets and artists mentioned, like T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, and E.E. Cummings, were considered highly intellectual and sometimes inaccessible. Thomas, while himself a modernist poet, seems to be poking fun at the perceived elitism and obscurity often associated with the movement. It can be seen as a commentary on the artistic trends of his time and a gentle rebellion against the stuffy, pretentious attitude he saw within some artistic circles.

The Theme of Artistic Authenticity (or Lack Thereof)

One of the central themes of the poem is the questioning of artistic authenticity. Thomas suggests that success in modern art doesn't require genuine talent or insight but rather adherence to certain fashionable trends and a willingness to shock or confuse the audience. This is evident in lines like "modern verse is done with ease" and the instructions to fill work with "belly, genitals and -----." He implies that true artistic merit has been replaced by a superficial performance of "modernity," where obscurity and vulgarity are mistaken for depth and originality. The satire highlights the potential for art to become a hollow exercise in self-promotion rather than a genuine expression of the artist's soul.

The Absurdity of Modernist Conventions

Another prominent theme is the absurdity of many modernist conventions. Thomas exaggerates the characteristics often associated with modernist art and poetry to the point of ridiculousness. The suggestion that his aunt should buy a Swiss yodeling hat and sandals, write a "dirty novel done in Erse," or paint on the backs of vests mocks the perceived eccentricity and unconventionality of some modern artists. Similarly, the advice to never be lucid, never state the simplest thought, and to omit vital words like genitals, is a direct jab at the often-complex and challenging nature of modernist poetry. He is suggesting that what often passes as artistic genius is merely nonsensical obscurity.

The Cynical View of Inspiration

The poem also presents a cynical view of inspiration. Rather than drawing inspiration from beauty or profound emotions, Thomas advises his aunt to dwell on the dark and unpleasant aspects of existence: "each rose is wormy, and every lovely woman's germy." He even suggests that "life is hell and even heaven has a smell of putrefying angels." This dark and pessimistic outlook reflects a sense of disillusionment that was prevalent in modernist literature and art. However, Thomas's exaggerated portrayal of this cynicism borders on parody, implying that the relentless focus on the grotesque and morbid can itself be a form of affectation.

Symbolism: Brains, Hearts, and Yodeling Hats

The poem contains several recurring symbols and vivid images. The Swiss yodeling hat symbolizes the superficial trappings of modernism – it's an outlandish, attention-grabbing accessory that has no real artistic value. The repeated references to "belly, genitals and -----" symbolize the obsession with sexuality and the human body that characterized some modernist art. Most tellingly, the instruction to "remove your brains, take out your heart" before starting to create symbolizes the perceived lack of genuine feeling and intellectual substance in much of modern art. The removal of these vital organs suggests that the poem implies the art is only a product of trends and affectations, not true inspiration and personal expression.

Final Insight: A Tongue-in-Cheek Critique

In conclusion, "A Letter To My Aunt" is a brilliantly satirical poem that skewers the pretentiousness and perceived absurdities of modern art and literature. Dylan Thomas uses humor and exaggeration to critique the artistic trends of his time, questioning the authenticity of artistic expression and mocking the conventions of the modernist movement. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to provoke thought about the nature of art, the pursuit of originality, and the fine line between genuine artistic vision and pretentious posturing. Ultimately, the poem, though sarcastic and sometimes cynical, invites us to consider what truly constitutes meaningful and impactful art.