Images and Symbols in Dylan Thomas' Poetry

Abstract

Dylan Thomas is deeply influenced by French Symbolists and has connotatively
used symbols in his poetry to blend the complexity of religious and sexual images which
creates ambiguity and metaphysical nature of words. Symbols are not only connotative but
also evocative and emotive. They evoke before the mind's eye a host of associations
connected with them and are also rich in emotional significance. It is emotive conveying
the "pure sensations" or the poet's apprehension of transcendental mystery. This research
paper attempts to analyse the types of imagery used by Dylan Thomas in his poetry which
in one way contributes the connotative meaning of the poetry but in other way leads to
ambiguity and complexity leading to layers of meanings.