Poem Analysis - O Make Me A Mask

Introduction: A Plea for Protection

Dylan Thomas’s “O Make Me a Mask” is a fervent cry for protection against a perceived hostile world. The poem resonates with a tone of paranoia and defensiveness, evolving into a calculated, almost cynical, acceptance of deception as a survival tactic. The speaker seeks refuge behind a constructed persona, a mask designed to conceal vulnerability and outwit those who seek to exploit it. This poem is not just about hiding; it’s about actively manipulating perception to one's advantage.

The Theme of Self-Preservation: Shielding Vulnerability

One of the central themes of the poem is self-preservation. The speaker desperately seeks to protect his inner self from the scrutinizing "spies" with "sharp, enamelled eyes." This vulnerability is expressed through powerful imagery: the "nurseries of my face" suggesting raw, untainted emotions, and the "undefended prayerpiece," referring to the exposed and genuine self. The speaker feels the need to defend these vulnerable parts of himself, highlighted through the wish to "gag of dumbstruck tree to block from bare enemies/ The bayonet tongue." Thus, the poem is a testament to the instinct for self-preservation in a world perceived as predatory.

Deception as Defense: The Art of the Mask

The poem explores deception as a tool for defense. The speaker isn't simply hiding; he's actively crafting a false image to deceive others. He desires a "countenance of a dunce" to "shield the glistening brain" and blunt the "examiners," indicating a strategic manipulation of appearances to disarm potential threats. The "sweetly blown trumpet of lies" suggests a deliberate orchestration of falsehoods, not out of malice, but as a necessary shield against a judgmental world. The shift in tone from defensiveness to active manipulation underscores the poem's complex exploration of self-protection.

Grief and Cynicism: The World's Masked Performance

The poem delves into the theme of cynicism born out of recognizing the world's own masked performance. The lines, "And a tear-stained widower grief drooped from the lashes/ To veil belladonna and let the dry eyes perceive/ Others betray the lamenting lies of their losses/ By the curve of the nude mouth or the laugh up the sleeve" express a hardened observation that everyone hides their true feelings and engages in deception. The "tear-stained widower grief" is itself a mask, used to conceal a more potent, potentially dangerous, reality ("belladonna"). The speaker observes how others "betray" their own falsehoods, suggesting a world where authenticity is rare and carefully concealed.

Symbolism: The Eyes and the Mouth

The recurring symbols of eyes and the mouth are particularly significant. The "sharp, enamelled eyes" represent the scrutinizing gaze of the outside world, constantly judging and evaluating. They are perceived as hostile and invasive. In contrast, the mouth represents both truth and deception. It's the "bayonet tongue," capable of inflicting pain, but also the "sweetly blown trumpet of lies," a tool for manipulation. The duality of the mouth highlights the speaker's awareness of the power of language and the inherent potential for both honesty and deceit. A unique interpretation could be that these opposing views are not the outside world looking in and the speaker looking out, but opposing sides of the speaker's personality.

Conclusion: The Price of Protection

In conclusion, “O Make Me a Mask” is a powerful exploration of self-preservation in a world perceived as hostile and deceptive. Dylan Thomas's poem masterfully weaves together themes of vulnerability, manipulation, and cynicism through vivid imagery and shifting tones. The poem's significance lies in its stark portrayal of the lengths one might go to protect oneself, even at the cost of authenticity. The poem leaves the reader pondering the complex relationship between vulnerability and self-defense, and whether the constant need for protection ultimately isolates us from genuine connection.