Well-Educated Mind Poetry Reading List discussion

This is an interesting situation: Williams appears to make a case to the townspeople about how to conduct a proper funeral; but some have said it is really an argument how not to write poetry. It is a counter against Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night."

First, Williams presents a better design for a hearse, "not black or white or polished, but rather weathered like a farm wagon with gilt wheels, or no wheels, to be dragged over the ground."

And get rid of the glass. The people do not need to see the dead housed and the dead do not need to be protected from the weather. He (the dead body) shall receive much worse in a moment when he is buried.

Do not decorate with wreaths or flowers, but leave something personal with the dead, like his books or old clothing (not something new and ornate).

And get rid of the adorned driver. He should not be elevated above, but rather should walk by the side of the hearse.

And Townspeople need to walk behind the hearse, "like they do in France." In fact, let it be an imposition; be exposed to the weather. Show your grief; it cannot be hidden anyway.

So, this is not really about over indulgent funerals but a rebuttal to how not to write poetry. Williams main arguments against Thomas (and other poets) were these: don't add yourself into the poetry when the poet does not fit into the poem. (I'm not sure I understand this entirely.)

Williams also does not like style formalities. As it is, he was known for his experimental presentation, particularly in this poem, and one can see that he likes to have freedom to write anyway he likes, even if it does not make sense. He argued in "Tract" that poetry does not need to follow rigid rules.

Another thing Williams did not like were social inhibitions, obviously, as was similar to poetry style formalities.

Williams did not care for excessive, fanciful poetry and sought to send a message to other poets that they should tone it down, take it down a notch, get real. He didn't like beating around the bush, but in "Tract," he did somewhat beat around the bush with his hidden message about funerals. I myself would have never known otherwise, unless I did some research.

Now, I did not read Dylan Thomas' poem, and I wonder if Thomas ever got the message, and if so, what was his response. Something to research...