Poem Analysis - On The Marriage Of A Virgin

A Poem of Miraculous Innocence and Awakening

Dylan Thomas's "On the Marriage of a Virgin" is a complex and evocative poem that explores the transition from virginal innocence to sexual awakening. The poem uses rich, often paradoxical imagery to depict the profound shift in a woman's experience. The tone is initially celebratory, almost reverential, but shifts to a more grounded and knowing perspective as the poem progresses. The poem feels both mystical and intensely physical, capturing the duality of the experience.

Themes of Transformation and Loss

One of the central themes is the transformation from virginity to married life. The opening lines portray virginity as a "miraculous" state, "old as loaves and fishes," suggesting a timeless, almost biblical quality. However, this miracle is also ephemeral, "unending lightning," hinting at its fleeting nature. The arrival of the "golden ghost" represents the intrusion of the male presence and the subsequent loss of the woman's solitary, self-contained world. The theme of loss accompanies this transformation. The image of "shipyards of Galilee's footprints hide a navy of doves" suggests that the sacred and innocent spaces are now concealed, replaced by something more worldly and potentially overwhelming. The woman's "heart all ears and eyes" emphasizes her initial openness and vulnerability, which is then altered by the man's presence.

The Sun as a Multifaceted Symbol

The sun is a recurring symbol throughout the poem, taking on multiple meanings. Initially, it represents a kind of divine or transcendent light associated with the woman's virginity: "morning's light / Surprised in the opening of her nightlong eyes." It's a source of wonder and awe. However, the sun later transforms into a more possessive and potentially destructive force: "the vibrations of the sun desire on / Her deepsea pillow." Finally, it evolves into "That other sun, the jealous coursing of the unrivalled blood," representing the passionate, consuming force of sexual desire and the internal change within the woman herself. The sun's multifaceted symbolism demonstrates the complex and evolving nature of the woman's experience.

Imagery of Water, Light, and Gold

The poem is filled with vivid imagery of water, light, and gold. Water, particularly the "deepsea pillow," evokes the depths of the woman's inner world and her solitary existence before marriage. Light, as previously mentioned, symbolizes both innocence and a force of transformation. The recurrent motif of "gold" suggests something precious and valuable but also potentially overwhelming. The "golden ghost" and "golden luggage" seem to weigh down the woman, indicating the burden of new experiences and expectations brought about by marriage. The avalanche of the ghost's stream ringed her mercury bone suggesting an almost alchemic transformation.

The Price of Awakening: A Conclusion

In conclusion, "On the Marriage of a Virgin" is a powerful exploration of the transition from innocence to experience. While celebrating the miraculous nature of virginity, the poem also acknowledges its inevitable loss and the complex emotions associated with sexual awakening. The imagery of light, water, and gold contributes to a sense of both wonder and apprehension, suggesting that the woman's transformation is both beautiful and potentially challenging. The poem leaves us to contemplate the price of awakening and the profound changes that marriage brings.