Poem Analysis - Shall Gods Be Said To Thump The Clouds

An Introduction to Thomas's Skepticism

Dylan Thomas's "Shall Gods Be Said To Thump The Clouds" is a defiant and skeptical poem questioning traditional religious explanations for natural phenomena. It begins with a series of rhetorical questions, challenging the idea of attributing human-like emotions and actions to deities. The poem gradually shifts from questioning to assertive rejection, culminating in a declaration that gods are inanimate and voiceless, yet paradoxically, that stones can speak. The overall tone is initially inquisitive but develops into a firm, almost rebellious, denial of conventional theism.

Rejecting Anthropomorphic Deities

One of the primary themes explored in the poem is the rejection of anthropomorphism in religion. The opening lines illustrate this perfectly: "Shall gods be said to thump the clouds/When clouds are cursed by thunder,/Be said to weep when weather howls?/Shall rainbows be their tunics' colour?" Thomas uses these questions to expose the absurdity of assigning human characteristics (thumping, weeping, clothing) to divine beings as explanations for natural events like thunder, rain, and rainbows. The poem suggests that such explanations are simplistic and fail to capture the true complexity and power of nature. The question "When it is rain where are the gods?" further undermines the notion of divine intervention in everyday occurrences, pushing the reader to consider alternate explanations.

The Power of the Natural World

The poem emphasizes the power and inherent worth of the natural world. Rather than seeing nature as a manifestation of divine will, Thomas presents it as something powerful in its own right. The rain "scolds me like a nurse," suggesting a force both nurturing and reprimanding, a power residing within the natural world itself. The thunder "cursing" the clouds implies nature's capacity for its own internal conflicts and dramatic events without the need for divine orchestration. This elevation of nature culminates in the final lines, where stones are given the potential for language, shifting the focus from transcendent gods to the immanent presence and potential of the physical world.

Stones as Symbols of Silent Truth

The recurring symbol of stones is central to understanding Thomas's message. Initially, the poem declares, "It shall be said that gods are stone," equating deities with inert, lifeless matter. However, the poem then takes a surprising turn, suggesting that these very stones can "speak/With tongues that talk all tongues." This suggests that perhaps truth and understanding are not to be found in anthropomorphic gods, but in the silent, enduring presence of the natural world. The stones, traditionally symbols of permanence and silence, are now imbued with the potential for communication, hinting that deep truths can be found in the material world if we are willing to listen. Could this represent an embrace of a more pantheistic or even atheistic viewpoint, one that locates meaning and revelation not in the heavens, but in the very ground beneath our feet?

Conclusion: A Redefinition of the Sacred

"Shall Gods Be Said To Thump The Clouds" is a powerful assertion of doubt and a re-evaluation of the divine. By rejecting the notion of gods as human-like figures controlling the weather, Thomas urges us to find meaning and truth within the natural world itself. The poem challenges conventional religious beliefs and encourages a deeper appreciation for the power and potential inherent in the seemingly ordinary elements of our surroundings. Ultimately, Thomas's poem suggests that the sacred might not reside in the heavens, but rather in the stones that lie scattered upon the earth, waiting to speak.