Poem Analysis - A Process In The Weather Of The Heart

Overview: Cycles of Life and Death

Dylan Thomas's "A Process In The Weather Of The Heart" is a powerful meditation on the cyclical nature of life, death, and renewal. The poem explores the constant interplay between opposing forces, such as damp and dry, night and day, and life and death, suggesting that these are not separate entities but rather intertwined aspects of a single, continuous process. The tone is initially somber and reflective, but shifts towards a more accepting and even triumphant note as the poem progresses. It speaks of universal processes and the inevitable progression from one state to another.

Welsh Roots and Universal Concerns

While specific historical or social contexts might not be explicitly evident in this poem, understanding Dylan Thomas's Welsh background provides some insight. Thomas was deeply rooted in the landscape and traditions of Wales, a land steeped in a sense of history and a strong connection to nature. This connection permeates his work, giving rise to the poem's vivid imagery related to earth, weather, and the human body. However, "A Process in the Weather of the Heart" transcends specific locales, focusing on concerns that are universal and deeply human: mortality, transformation, and the search for meaning within the cycle of existence.

Mortality's Inevitable Embrace

One of the poem's central themes is mortality. The poem acknowledges death's constant presence within life, describing how "the womb / Drives in a death as life leaks out." This isn't presented as a morbid obsession, but rather as an observation of a natural occurrence. The phrase "bones of blindness" suggests the impending end of sight and therefore, life, a reminder of the body's inevitable decay. But even within this acknowledgement of mortality, there's a sense of acceptance, as if death is merely another stage in the continuous "process."

Transformation: The Heart's Alchemy

The theme of transformation is intricately woven throughout the poem, particularly through the use of weather imagery. "A process in the weather of the heart / Turns damp to dry." This suggests a metaphorical alchemy, where emotional states and experiences are constantly being transformed. The weather acts as a metaphor for the changing emotional landscape within us. The line "A process blows the moon into the sun" symbolizes a grander transformation, indicating the complete metamorphosis of one state into its opposite, reflecting the cyclical nature of existence and the potential for change.

Duality and Interconnectedness

The concept of duality, or the existence of opposing forces, is a crucial element in the poem. This is emphasized through recurring images of contrasting elements like "damp and dry," "night to day," and "the quick and dead." These contrasting elements are not presented as separate entities, but are intrinsically linked. The line "A darkness in the weather of the eye / Is half its light" clearly expresses this interconnectedness. The imagery of the seed, "fork[ing] half its fruit; and half drops down," further emphasizes this idea. This division of the seed could represent the duality within creation, where some potential is realized while other remains dormant, suggesting a continuous cycle of growth and decay.

The Power of Weather Imagery

Weather serves as a central, recurring symbol in the poem. It is much more than a simple setting; it is a metaphor for the internal and external forces that shape human existence. Weather impacts the heart, the veins, the eye, the flesh, and ultimately, the world. The unpredictable nature of weather mirrors the unpredictable nature of life. The poem begins and ends with "A process in the weather," highlighting the overarching influence of these forces on human experience. The weather imagery also conveys the idea of constant change and transformation, suggesting that nothing remains static.

A Final Acceptance

In conclusion, "A Process In The Weather Of The Heart" is a profound exploration of the cyclical nature of life and death. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, Thomas invites us to contemplate the constant interplay between opposing forces and to embrace the inevitable transformations that shape our existence. The poem, while acknowledging mortality, ultimately offers a sense of acceptance and even triumph, suggesting that death is not an end, but rather a necessary part of the ongoing process. The final image of the heart giving up its dead suggests a release, a shedding of the past in preparation for a new cycle of life and experience.