Do not go gentle into that good night

"Do not go gentle into that good night" is a poem in the form of a villanelle, and the most famous work of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914–1953).^[1] Though first published in the journal Botteghe Oscure in 1951,^[2] it was written in 1947 when he was in Florence with his family. It was published, along with other stories previously written, as part of his In Country Sleep, And Other Poems in 1952.^[1]

It has been suggested that it was written for Thomas' dying father, although he did not die until just before Christmas 1952.^[3] It has no title other than its first line, "Do not go gentle into that good night", a line which appears as a refrain throughout. Its other refrain is "Rage, rage against the dying of the light".

The poem currently remains under copyright.^{[note 1]}

In popular culture

• Musician Richard Burmer recorded a track on his album Treasures of The Saints with this title. The track includes a recitation of the poem by Thomas himself recorded by the BBC in 1951.
• It was used as the text for the 1954 In Memoriam Dylan Thomas (Dirge-Canons and Song) for tenor and chamber ensemble, by Igor Stravinsky. The piece was written soon after Thomas' death and first performed in 1954.^[5]
• It was the inspiration for three paintings by Swansea-born painter and print-maker Ceri Richards, in 1954, 1956, and 1965, respectively.^[6]
• In the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, LouAnne uses this poem extensively to teach her students about symbolism and metaphor.
• In the 1996 film Independence Day, the President makes a rousing speech as he prepares to lead the attack against the alien invaders, adapting Thomas' line, saying, "We will not go quietly into the night".^[7]
• It was used as the title for the series finale of the TV series Roseanne which aired on 20 May 20 1997.
• In the 2003 film The Rundown, Ewen Bremner's character Declan recites a part during the final fire fight, also showcasing a firearm with the branding "Do Not Go Gentle".
• In the 2007 episode of Doctor Who, entitled "The Shakespeare Code ", the 10th Doctor, played by David Tennant, quotes the refrain "Rage, rage, against the dying of the light" to William Shakespeare.
• In Season 3 Episode 1 of AMC series Mad Men Ken Cosgrove quotes “He did not go gently into that good night” to Robert Pryce while talking about departure of Burt Peterson after being fired.
• In the 2010 novel Matched by Ally Condie, a Young Adult dystopia, the poem is exchanged and memorised between characters as an act of rebellion in a world in which only selected art is allowed.
• In Christopher Nolan's 2014 movie Interstellar it is used repeatedly by Michael Caine's character Professor John Brand, as well as by several other supporting characters.^[8] Leading actors Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway are sent into hyper sleep with the final words "Do not go gentle into that good night."

• In 2015 episode of Doctor Who, "The Magician's Apprentice", Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, quotes the first line of this poem when she discovers where the Doctor is and what he's up to.^[9]
• Quoted in the 2015 album "When it's Dark Out" by G-Eazy.
• In 2017 PhRMA campaign "Go Boldly" intended to illustrate the work of American biotechnology companies.
• In the TV series Once Upon a Time, Regina's Evil Queen counterpart says "Rage, rage against the dying of the light".
• It was used by Rodney Dangerfield in the movie Back to School.
• It is the subject of a tone poem for wind ensemble by Elliot Del Borgo ^[10]
• In 2016 the Canadian band Adventure Club used a variation of the refrain in their song "Goodnight" on their album Red // Blue.

Notes

References