Worldly Concerns and Artistic Pursuits

In his poem “In my craft or sullen art,” Dylan Thomas positions worldly concerns in relation to artistic pursuit. Ultimately, the poet connects the two when the speaker expresses his intention to use poetry to reach ordinary people. “In my craft or sullen art” is an ars poetica, a form that explores the art of poetry by meditating on craft, intention, or techniques. Though speakers should not automatically be conflated with poets, the form of this particular poem opens the possibility that Thomas himself is the speaker sharing his poetic thesis. If that is the case, then the main point Thomas seeks to share is that he desires to reach ordinary people by writing about experiences such as love and grief.

In order to pursue this poetic purpose, the speaker requires solitude. Solitude sets the speaker somewhat apart from those concerned with...