Saturday, 5 July 2025

NEB Grade 12 compulsory English 2nd poem Every Morning I Wake by Dylan Thomas

 2nd poem

Every Morning I Wake

                         By Dylan Thomas

"Every Morning I Wake" is a short, powerful poem by Dylan Thomas that expresses a deep sense of hope, prayer, and connection to humanity. In the poem, the speaker wakes up each morning and prays for others, not just for himself. He wishes safety, peace, and blessings for all people in the world, especially those who are suffering, lost, or in danger. The poem shows compassion, empathy, and the poet’s belief in the power of love and prayer. It reminds us that each day is a new chance to care for others and be kind.

About the Poet

Dylan Thomas (1914–1953) was a famous Welsh poet. His poems are emotional and often talk about life, death, nature, and human feelings.

Setting

The poem takes place in the speaker’s mind as he thinks deeply each morning. It feels personal and reflective, not based on a specific physical place.

Tone

The tone is thoughtful and emotional. The speaker reflects on life and death every morning, showing both urgency and calmness as he accepts the cycle of life.

Themes

1.      Life and Death – The poem talks about how every new day brings us closer to death, and how we must face that truth.

2.      Passage of Time – Each morning is a reminder that time keeps moving, and life is short.

3.      Existential Reflection – The speaker thinks about the meaning of life and his own mortality.

4.      Awareness and Consciousness – Waking up makes him aware of being alive, but also of how fragile life is.

Summary

In the poem "Every Morning When I Wake," the poet talks about how he feels every day when he wakes up. Each morning reminds him that life is short and death is certain. He knows that every new day is a gift, but it also brings him one step closer to the end of life.

As he thinks deeply, he feels both happy to be alive and sad about how quickly time passes. He is aware of death but still wants to enjoy life fully. The poet shows that even though life is not permanent, it is still beautiful and worth living.

At the end, Dylan Thomas wants us to understand that life and death are both natural. We should not be afraid of death, but instead, we should value each moment and live with love and purpose.

In Advance

Every Morning When I Wake by Dylan Thomas delves into the speaker's awareness of the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the speaker's realization each morning that life continues in the face of mortality. He reflects on the transient nature of existence, where every new day is both a gift and a reminder of life’s fragility. The waking moment becomes a time for the speaker to confront both the beauty and the sorrow of living, understanding that each dawn is a step closer to the inevitable end.

As the poem unfolds, the speaker grapples with the complex emotions of being alive, acknowledging the fleeting nature of time. He seems to be caught between an intense awareness of death and a desire to live fully despite it. The poet’s language reflects this tension—expressing both the allure and the fear of life. He seems to suggest that even though death looms, it should not overshadow the vibrant, fleeting moments of existence that make life meaningful.

In conclusion, Dylan Thomas uses the act of waking each day as a metaphor for confronting the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem reflects a mixture of resignation and defiance, as the speaker faces mortality but also embraces the experience of life. Through vivid and emotional language, Thomas captures the universal human struggle with the certainty of death and the desire to live fully in the face of it, ultimately suggesting that even in the shadow of death, life’s beauty remains precious.

 

Additional Summary

In Every Morning I Wake, Dylan Thomas reflects on the complexity of life, the awareness of death, and the fleeting nature of time. The poem expresses the speaker’s experience of waking up each morning, confronting both the beauty and the struggles of being alive. The act of waking up symbolizes more than just physical awakening; it is a reminder of the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

The speaker begins by acknowledging the feeling of waking up to the world, aware of both the gifts and challenges that life brings. He seems to wrestle with the awareness of his mortality, recognizing that every new day brings him closer to the end. However, despite this realization, the poem does not dwell on despair. Instead, it captures the tension between the excitement and sorrow of life, the internal struggle of wanting to embrace each moment while being conscious of life’s temporary nature.

Thomas uses vivid language to convey the speaker's deep emotions about time, death, and existence. There is a constant push and pull between wanting to hold on to life and recognizing that it is fleeting. The speaker is aware of the inevitability of death but continues to live fully in the present, embracing the contradictions of life.

Through the poem, Thomas highlights the paradox of life and death. The speaker’s daily awakening is both a gift and a reminder of life’s impermanence. The poem suggests that despite the knowledge of death, there is still beauty in living, and every morning offers a chance to experience the world and its wonders, even as time slips away.

Reference to the context

 a. Discuss “Every Morning When I Wake” as a prayer to the God.

In "Every Morning When I Wake," Dylan Thomas can be seen as offering a prayer to God, though not in a traditional sense. The speaker’s acknowledgment of the passage of time and the inevitability of death evokes a sense of seeking meaning and understanding from a higher power. The act of waking each morning becomes a spiritual reflection, where the speaker grapples with the fragility of life, possibly invoking God’s presence to make sense of existence. The poem’s tone reflects a yearning for purpose in the face of mortality, suggesting a silent, contemplative prayer for guidance, strength, and the ability to embrace life fully, despite its transient nature.

b. Why does the speaker make a prayer to the God, but not to a king, a billionaire or a scientist?

The speaker chooses to pray to God rather than to a king, billionaire, or scientist because God represents an omnipotent, transcendent force capable of offering meaning, comfort, and guidance in the face of life's fragility and mortality. Unlike earthly figures, whose power is limited to the material world, God symbolizes an eternal, spiritual presence that can provide solace and understanding in the face of existential questions. The prayer reflects a search for deeper, metaphysical answers that go beyond wealth, political power, or scientific knowledge, pointing to a longing for divine wisdom and connection in the face of the inevitable passage of time.

c. How does the poet highlight the magnificence of the God?

The poet highlights the magnificence of God by portraying the divine as a powerful, all-encompassing force that transcends the limitations of earthly life and death. Through the speaker's prayer, there is an implicit recognition that only God holds the ultimate understanding of life's fleeting nature and the mysteries of existence. The speaker's reflective tone suggests awe and reverence, acknowledging God's eternal presence and sovereignty over time. By choosing God as the focus of the prayer, the poet elevates the divine to a position of supreme significance, offering both solace and perspective in a world marked by mortality.

Reference beyond the text

 a. Does the God exist? Give your opinion.

The existence of God is a deeply personal and philosophical question, and opinions on the matter vary widely based on individual beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and religious teachings. Some people firmly believe in the existence of God as a divine, higher power, often drawing on faith, religious texts, and personal experiences as evidence. Others may take an agnostic or atheistic view, asserting that there is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the existence of God.

In the context of poetry and literature, the question of God's existence can often be explored symbolically, representing themes of hope, meaning, and the search for purpose. In "Every Morning When I Wake," for example, God may not be depicted as a literal figure but rather as a metaphor for the larger forces of life, death, and the human desire for understanding and solace. Whether or not one believes in the existence of God ultimately depends on individual perspectives, but the concept of God often holds great significance in the search for meaning and understanding in life.

 Literary Devices used in the Poem 

1. Repetition

Definition: Repeating words or phrases to create rhythm or emphasize an idea.

Example: The phrase “Every morning I wake” may be repeated.

Meaning: It emphasizes the routine and the continual experience of waking and feeling emotions.

2. Imagery

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Example: The poem might describe morning light, nature, or feelings vividly.

Meaning: It helps the reader imagine the freshness and emotions of each new day.

3. Metaphor

Definition: Comparing two things without using “like” or “as.”

Example: The morning or waking can be a metaphor for new beginnings or emotional states.
Meaning: It shows how each day brings hope or challenges.

4. Personification

Definition: Giving human qualities to things that aren’t human.

Example: The morning might be described as having feelings or actions.
Meaning: This makes nature or time seem alive and connected to the speaker’s emotions.

5. Tone

Definition: The mood or feeling of the poem.

Example: The tone may be hopeful, reflective, or even melancholic.
Meaning: It helps the reader feel the speaker’s emotions about waking and life.

 

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