IB English SL

Paper 1 Assignment – Poetry

Walter Llywarch

The poem Walter Llywarch by RS Thomas uses literary techniques such as symbolism
and imagery, especially visual imagery in order to depict the life journey of Walter
Llywarch, who appears to be the central character as well as the main focus of the poem.
The main themes of the poem appear to be that of nostalgia, disappointment, dourness
and hope whereas the title of the poem being a person’s name probably signifies his
importance in the poet’s mind and suggests that the poem would be revolving around his
life, however, the character is depicted to be ‘ordinary’ and therefore not known by all
the readers. It can also be noticed that the poem speaks involves a cycle of life, where
Walter Llywarch’s childhood is transformed into his middle-age life of marriage and he
yet again deals with childhood, however, this time it is his own children. The poet’s
intention is probably to expose the internal feelings of this character, which have been
shown since the poem is written in first person.

The poem starts with the central character addressing the readers and there can be seen a
personal connect which the poet tries to make between the readers and Walter Llywarch,
which is probably done to create a stronger bond between the reader and the central
character from the beginning itself. The use of the phrase “I am, as you know, Walter
Llywarch,” suggests that this central character expects the readers to know of his identity
and existence; however it is ironical that this man is an ‘ordinary’ unknown stranger, who
in fact the readers have probably never even heard of. This irony has probably been used
and developed through the poem to bring the specialty and significance of an ordinary
person as well as forcing the reader to think whether they know Walter Llywarch or not.
The ‘ordinary’ idea could also be understood as an attempt of the poet, RS Thomas, to
relate with his ‘ordinary’ audience. The fact that the poem was written and named Walter
Llywarch suggests the importance this name holds, which probably indicates that it was
someone important for the poet. Also, the beginning of the poem can be seen as a
assertion by the protagonist to claim his existence, this could imply that either people did
not know about him and that he wanted to be heard, or it could also be possible that he
was forgotten by people and was therefore trying to remind them of his existence.

The next few lines of the poem deal with the protagonist’s childhood, with details of
where he was from, i.e. Wales. Other characters such as Walter’s parents are also
introduced in the second line itself; thereby suggesting their existence was of importance
to the poet as well as the protagonist, probably an important aspect of his life. The
element of society is also brought out in these lines since it can be seen that the
protagonist was brought up by “approved” parents, which suggests that him and his
family was socially accepted and approved, however, the unfortunate thing that happens
to him is that he suffers from the goiter disease. The poet could have used this disease as
a literal medical complication with the protagonist in order to create sympathy in the
reader’s mind, however, another intention of the poet could have been to use the disease
as a symbol for the swollen and somber mood which existed in the protagonist’s mind.
This dull and gloomy mood is explained further, in the line “bred in quarries of grey
rain”. This suggests that the mundane job he was doing at the quarry was miserable and
joyless, however, the protagonist did not really have an option but to work there. The bad
working conditions are also subtly hinted by the poet in the phrase “well goitred”, which
suggests that the goiter he has, was done to him by his surroundings, specifically his
place of work. It can be also seen that there existed certain optimism and spirit within the
protagonist since he himself criticizes his “round bum”, which is a defect he has due to
his disease, yet the protagonist is seen to laugh it off. These lines depict primarily the
protagonist’s childhood, which appeared to be grim, somber and most importantly-
unacceptable by him.

The next few lines of the poem involve descriptions about the season autumn. It can be
understood that autumn has negative connotations of death and silence attached to it,
therefore the poet uses this season as a symbol to enhance the gloomy and dull
atmosphere of the poem. However, it is ironical that the use of the negative connotation is
followed by the phrase “at the right time”, which suggests that what was happening was
correct. This probably has been used to show the accepting nature of the protagonist, who
has given up on his unenthusiastic lifestyle in Wales. It could also depict confusion
within the protagonist’s mind. It can also be seen that the poet has used the literary
technique of personification in these lines, as he has indirectly personified the element of
nature, particularly trees, which can be seen in the lines “from the cracked lips Of old
folk dreaming of summer, I piled them on to the bare hearth Of my own fancy to make a
blaze”. It can be understood that these are trees since the protagonist piles them “on to the
bare heath” as well as “cracked lips” probably signify the crackling sound of burning
wood. It can also be seen that the protagonist attempted to remain warm by lighting a
bonfire, however failed. This failure resulted in “smoke's acid that brings the smart Of
false tears into the eyes”. By failure to obtain warmth, the poet could be trying to suggest
that the protagonist attempted to escape from this hopelessness he was living in, however
failed. Also, it can be seen that the attempts made failed to such an extent that they were
as corrosive as acid. This, in figurative terms probably means that the protagonists mind
was burning with regret since he was unable to escape. The use of the words “false tears”
suggests that the tears in the protagonist’s eyes were because of the smoke, which could
symbolize the physical surroundings, and not because of internal sorrow.

As the poem progresses, Walter Llywarch provides greater descriptions of the bad
weather “months of fog months of drizzle”. The use of the phrase “Thought wrapped in
the grey cocoon” gives a very claustrophobic sense and probably signifies the
protagonist’s trapped feelings. The use of the semi- colon after the line “months of fog
Months of drizzle” suggests that the protagonist’s trapped thoughts coincide with the bad
weather, again adding a negative connotation to the mood of the poem. On the other
hand, a temporary positive connotation can be observed in the form of optimism and a
ray of hope which is present in the protagonist’s mind, as it can be seen in the lines
“awaiting the sun's Coming; but when the sun came Striking the hills with a hot hand”.
These lines suggest that weather is an important symbol used by RS Thomas to depict the
positives and the negatives. Dark, gloomy weather such as autumn signifies the
negativity, whereas summer, in the form of the symbol “sun” signifies hope and
positivity. However, this positivity exists for a very short period of time as it can be seen
in the following lines “Wings were spread only to fly Round and round in a cramped
cage, Or beat in vain at the sky's window”. Also, the word “striking” does not refer to the
gentle rays of sun; instead it carries a violent connotation. These lines also signify that
though the poet hope for success in terms of escaping from his current location, his
monotony does not seem to end as he is captured “in a cramped cage”.

The next few lines are extremely important in the feelings of the protagonist, towards the
place he lives in, i.e. Wales. “School in the week; on Sunday chapel”, this line adds a
prison like connotation to Wales, where Walter feels like a prisoner. “Tales of a land
fairer than this Were not so tall, for others had proved it Without the grave's passport;
they sent Its fruit home for ourselves to taste”. These lines suggest that there were a few
people, “others”, from Wales, who managed to ‘escape’ and send back “fruits”, which
probably signifies money or gifts. The use of the word “fruits” adds a encouraging tone to
the situation, which probably further increases the willingness within the protagonist to
leave Wales, however, it indirectly causes additional misery to Walter because he is
tantalized by those who were successful in escaping, whereas he himself failed to escape.

The significance of the title is again brought out in the next line “Walter Llywarch! The
words were the name”. The use of punctuations such as the exclamation mark shows the
rage of emotions that exist within the protagonist as well as showing the craving he
possesses to escape from this place. Subsequently, the lines “On a lost letter that never
came For one who waited in the long queue” suggests that the protagonist was one of the
many people who were waiting for the “lost letter that never came”. This indicates that
there were other people who shared the same feelings as Walter and also wanted to
escape from Wales, to a place where they would have a better lifestyle and better working
conditions. This forms to be an extremely important line of the poem, since it brings out
the idea behind the poet using an ‘ordinary’ person as the poem’s protagonist. Walter
Llywarch stands as a symbol for all the other ordinary people who lived in Wales and
wanted to escape to a better place.
The poem proceeds with the protagonist’s life and it is suggested that Walter Llywarch is
married. I took instead, as others had done Before, a wife from the back pew In chapel,
rather to share the rain Of winter evenings than to intrude On her pale body. And yet we
lay For warmth together and laughed to hear Each new child's cry of despair.” It can be
seen from these lines that Walter married his wife to avoid the loneliness and isolation he
had to go through. It was for her companionship rather than lust that made him live with
her, as it can be seen “rather to share the rain Of winter evenings than to intrude on her
pale body”. The use of the word “warmth” again indicates the close bond he and his wife
shared. The ending of the poem is unexpected as it portrays the parents laughing “to hear
Each new child’s cry of despair”. It is unexpected and unlikely for parents to laugh at
their child while he cries in despair. This leaves the readers with emotions of shock and
confusion as to why would the parents, who themselves were frustrated and depressed
with their lives in this place, instill the same miserable future on their children.

The poet has used simple language with a limited number of literary techniques,
especially symbolism to portray his feelings about the ‘ordinary’ people living in Wales.
The poet’s intention was probably to reach out to the audience who shared similar
feelings, as this does not have to apply to Wales alone, it could be understood and applied
in various places where someone was longing to move to a better place and live a better
life.