Poem Analysis - Not From This Anger

Introduction: A Bitter Brew of Love and Loss

Dylan Thomas's "Not From This Anger" is a complex and emotionally charged poem exploring the aftermath of rejection and the lingering pain of unfulfilled desire. The poem is steeped in bitterness and frustration, conveyed through striking imagery and a tone of lament. It grapples with themes of love, loss, and the destructive potential of repressed emotions. The mood oscillates between anger, resignation, and a desperate yearning for what cannot be.

The Unfruitful Garden: Love and Rejection

One of the central themes is the devastating impact of rejection on love and fertility. The opening lines establish this immediately, with the "anticlimax after / Refusal struck her loin." This forceful image suggests a denial of intimacy, rendering the speaker's desire impotent. The "lame flower" and "land strapped by hunger" further symbolize a barrenness, a lack of potential for growth and fulfillment in the relationship. The image of the woman receiving "a bellyful of weeds" emphasizes the speaker's bitterness and the destructive nature of their interaction. The "agonized, two seas" that separate them suggest a vast emotional distance exacerbated by this rejection.

Sky's Sagging Smile: Deception and Illusions

The poem develops a powerful theme of illusory happiness versus underlying despair, particularly in the second stanza. The "square of sky sags over / The circular smile tossed from lover to lover" presents a picture of superficial joy that is ultimately unsustainable. The image of the "golden ball" (perhaps representing happiness, opportunity, or even the sun) spinning out of the sky symbolizes the fleeting nature of this happiness and the inevitable descent into darkness. The reference to the "mirror" suggests a distorted reality, a disconnect between appearance and true feeling. The mouth that "burns along my eyes" is not one of love, but one of pain and unresolved desire, hidden behind a facade.

Anger Under Water: Repressed Emotions and Their Consequences

Another prominent theme is the destructive potential of repressed anger and frustration. The poem suggests that the speaker's anger is not a source of strength or resolution, but rather a paralyzing force. The repetition of "Not from this anger after / Refusal struck like a bell under water" emphasizes the stifling and muted nature of this emotion. It is a submerged, suppressed anger that cannot be fully expressed or released. The underwater bell image further suggests a muffled communication and a sense of being trapped by these unacknowledged feelings. This bottled-up rage ultimately contributes to the barrenness and despair depicted throughout the poem.

Symbolism and Ambiguity: The Mirror and the Golden Ball

The poem employs potent symbols. The mirror acts as a symbol of distorted reality, reflecting not true feelings but rather a deceptive image of happiness. Its placement in proximity to the burning mouth intensifies the sense of hidden pain. The "golden ball," while potentially representing hope or opportunity, spins out of the skies, suggesting the loss of these possibilities. This evokes a sense of inevitable decline and dashed expectations. Is the golden ball also symbolic of a lost child or a future that will never be? The poem allows for these multiple readings, adding to its richness and complexity.

Conclusion: A Lament for Lost Potential

"Not From This Anger" is a poignant exploration of the pain and frustration that arise from rejection and unfulfilled desire. Through vivid imagery and a tone of simmering anger, Thomas conveys the devastating impact of a denied love and the destructive power of suppressed emotions. The poem's strength lies in its ability to capture the complexity of human relationships and the enduring legacy of loss, leaving the reader with a sense of profound sadness and a lingering question about the potential that was never realized. The poem is a powerful testament to the enduring ache of unrequited love and the struggle to find meaning in the face of disappointment.