Summary
The life story of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
Teachers’ Notes
Instructions:
The pictures should be shown on PowerPoint as the story is told. The ( ) show when the slide should be changed. To attract the pupils’ attention, we recommend the first slide is already on display as they enter.
The Main Text
Most of you have heard of Dylan Thomas, one of the best known poets of the mid 20th century. He has been in the news again after the release of a film about his life – The Edge of Love. There has been great excitement in Lampeter in particular, after the stars of the film, Matthew Rhys, Keira Knightly and Sienna Miller were seen filming there last year.
Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea on October 27th 1914. He was educated at Swansea Grammar School and left at the age of 16. After this, he worked for a time as a reporter on a local newspaper, moving to London in 1934, at the age of 20, with the publication of his first book, Eighteen Poems. Witty and sociable in London, Thomas became famous for his exuberant lifestyle, his poverty - and his thirst!
In 1937, he married Caitlin MacNamara, and they had 2 children. He worked for the BBC, and also wrote film scripts. In 1949, he returned to his native Wales and lived at the Boathouse in Laugharne. His house, his writing shed and Brown’s Hotel where he spent many hours, are almost a place of pilgrimage for his many fans who visit there from all parts of the world every summer.
The Boathouse is in a perfect location alongside the estuary, and the cliff-top writing shed enjoys idyllic views that inspired Dylan Thomas to write his last great poems. Today, you can peer through the window in the door and see a recreation of the workplace as it was – complete with beer bottles and Woodbine fag packets.
But, Laugharne isn’t the only place where Dylan Thomas drew inspiration in Wales. In 1944, he spent some months in a rented wooden bungalow called Majoda, in Newquay on the Ceredigion coast. This bungalow, like the Boathouse’s writing shed, enjoyed marvellous views that again inspired him to write. His favourite pub was the Black Lion where today you can see many pictures of him on the wall. That’s why the film crew of ‘The Edge of Love’ spent a fortnight filming there.
1950 saw the first of Dylan Thomas’ many tours of the United States. He became an almost legendary figure, both for his charismatic performances as a reader of his poems and, sadly, also for his wild drinking bouts. During his fourth lecture tour of the United States in 1953 and a few days after his 39th birthday, he collapsed in his New York City hotel.
He died on November the 9th 1953 at St Vincents hospital in New York City. His body was sent back to Laugharne, where his grave is marked by a simple wooden cross.
It was only after his death that his work was fully appreciated, and by today there are very few Welsh people who have not heard of Under Milk Wood (Dan y Wenallt). This radio play was published in 1954, after his death. Describing the lives, thoughts and fantasies of the inhabitants of a small Welsh town, this work reveals a beauty of language, a sharpness of characterisation, a breadth of humour and a comic invention that have captivated audiences ever since. It is set in the imaginary town of Llareggub – which of course means something quite different when spelt backwards!
The town is full of colourful eccentrics and dark, complicated characters. Dylan’s characters make us laugh, because in spite of their sins and flaws these outlandish characters are not so different from you and me.
In a particularly famous part of the play, towards the end, we hear Reverend Eli Jenkins praying to his creator. In his prayer, he recognises that nobody is 100% bad or 100% good, and he thanks God for always seeing the best side of people and not the worst.
PLAY VIDEO
You can also download the full version of Eli Jenkins’ prayer as an audio MP3 file.
(Recording of Eli Jenkins prayer courtesy of Dunvant Male Voice Choir.)
Just as Dylan Thomas was able to inspire others by his writings, despite the dark side of his own character, we too can do great things, despite our weaknesses, if we use our talents wisely.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, as we remember the life and work of Dylan Thomas, we remember too the words of Eli Jenkins’ prayer. None of us is wholly bad or good, and with your guidance we too can see the best side in others, and not their worst. Give us the strength to strive for what we believe in, and to turn our backs on the bad influences in our lives, that we may help build your kingdom on earth, as it is in Heaven. AMEN