Anger and defiance:
* "Do not go gentle into that good night": The forceful imperative "do not" immediately sets a defiant tone, expressing a strong resistance against the inevitability of death.
* "Rage, rage against the dying of the light": This line emphasizes the urgency and anger towards the fading of life, urging a fight against the darkness.
* "Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight": The word "rage" is associated with anger and a sense of injustice, highlighting the frustration of the speaker against the limitations of mortality.
Despair and grief:
* "Good night": The word "good" is ironic, as the poem argues against the notion of a peaceful acceptance of death.
* "Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay": This line hints at the sorrow of lost potential and unfulfilled dreams.
* "Wise men at their end know dark is right": The word "dark" signifies the fear and uncertainty associated with death.
Hope and defiance:
* "Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight": The imagery of "sun in flight" represents the vibrancy and beauty of life, reminding the reader to fight against the inevitable.
* "Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight": Despite the proximity to death, the speaker emphasizes a potential for "blinding sight", hinting at a deeper understanding of life's value.
* "And you, my father, there on the sad height": The heartfelt address to his father suggests a profound love and the pain of losing him.
Through these carefully selected words and phrases, Dylan Thomas conveys a complex tapestry of emotions – anger, despair, grief, and ultimately, a defiant hope. The poem challenges the reader to confront the inevitability of death with a fierce and passionate spirit, refusing to accept it passively.