**Slide 1: Title Slide**

"Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone. Today, I'll be presenting an analysis of Dylan Thomas's

poem 'After the Funeral (In Memory of Ann Jones),' drawing insights from Louise Baughan Murdy's
critical work. My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your Affiliation]. Let’s dive into the rich and complex
world of Dylan Thomas's poetry."

**Slide 2: Introduction to Louise Baughan Murdy's Analysis**

"Slide two introduces us to Louise Baughan Murdy's critical analysis. Murdy's work is pivotal in
understanding Dylan Thomas's poetry, particularly in the interplay of sound and sense. Critics have long
debated Thomas's approach, with some accusing him of prioritizing sound over meaning. However,
others, like Elder Olson and Derek Stanford, defend his depth and intentionality. Murdy's analysis seeks
to bridge this divide, suggesting that Thomas's sound patterns are intrinsically linked to their meanings.
This perspective is crucial in understanding the essence of Thomas’s work."

**Slide 3: Thomas's Poetic Style**

"Moving to slide three, we explore Dylan Thomas's poetic evolution. Thomas's work is characterized by a
meticulous use of rhyme, rhythm, and word formation. His poetic journey shows a transition from an
early style marked by staccato rhythms and compressed poetry to a more legato and expansive style,
where meanings become clearer. This evolution is evident across his three poetic periods. By analyzing
twenty-eight of his poems, Murdy provides a comprehensive view of how Thomas's sound supports and
enhances meaning, showcasing his unique poetic development."

**Slide 4: Murdy's Chapter 1 Overview**

"In slide four, we delve into the first chapter of Murdy's book, which focuses on the sound and sense in
ten of Thomas’s poems from his experimental phase between 1933 and 1939. These poems, including
'After the Funeral,' are marked by their dense and compressed meanings, and a rich use of contrasting
images. Murdy's analysis pays particular attention to syllabic patterns, speech-stress patterns, stanza
formation, and auditory repetitions. This detailed examination helps us appreciate the complex interplay
of sound and sense that is characteristic of Thomas’s early works."

### Slide 2: Introduction to the Poem

**Title: Background of "After the Funeral"**

"Welcome everyone. Our focus today is on a uniquely personal piece by Dylan Thomas - 'After the
Funeral (In Memory of Ann Jones).' This poem is exceptional within Thomas's body of work as it
represents his only direct poetic tribute to a known individual, a departure from his usual thematic
explorations. Thomas first penned this elegy in 1933, capturing his immediate emotional response.
However, he revisited and extensively reworked it five years later in 1938. This revision process reflects
Thomas's continuous struggle with the poem's content and form, indicating a deep, personal connection
to its subject. The evolution of this poem over time, and Thomas's own critical view of it, provide us with
valuable insights into his artistic process and the emotional weight behind the words."

### Slide 3: Overview of the Poem's Structure

**Title: Structure and Style of the Poem**

"In analyzing 'After the Funeral,' it's crucial to note its distinctive structural form. Comprised of a single,
unbroken paragraph of forty lines, the poem defies traditional stanzaic organization. This structural
choice creates a continuous, flowing narrative, echoing the uninterrupted nature of grief and memory.
Each line varies in syllable count and speech stress, creating a rhythm that is both unpredictable and
reflective of the emotional turmoil inherent in mourning. Thomas's use of sound similarities, rather than
a fixed rhyme scheme, further contributes to the poem's fluidity. These carefully chosen sound patterns
are more than mere poetic devices; they are integral to conveying the depth and nuance of the poem's
themes, creating an immersive experience for the reader."

### Slide 4: Description of Ann's Burial

**Title: Depiction of the Funeral**

"In 'After the Funeral,' Dylan Thomas starts with a powerful depiction of Ann Jones's funeral. The first
part of the poem, especially the first fifteen lines, uses strong sound contrasts to show how people often
act during public mourning. He uses phrases like 'mule praises, brays,' and 'Windshake of sailshaped
ears.' These sounds really stand out and make us think about how people sometimes show grief more
for show than for real feeling. As we move further into the poem, the way Thomas describes the funeral
changes. It becomes more personal and deep, showing a true sense of loss. This change is really
highlighted when he talks about the 'muffle-toed tap' of the coffin. This moment is a big shift from the
earlier, more surface-level descriptions. It shows the narrator, who we think is Thomas himself, realizing
just how big a loss he's facing. So, the funeral isn't just a backdrop in the poem; it's key to understanding
the deep emotions Thomas is expressing."

### Slide 5: Analysis of Key Imagery

"In this section, we explore the vivid imagery in Dylan Thomas's 'After the Funeral.' We'll focus on a
specific line: 'After the feast of tear-stuffed time and thistles...' In these words, Thomas paints a powerful
picture. The phrase 'tear-stuffed time' suggests a period overwhelmed with sadness, almost as if time
itself is crying. Adding 'thistles' to this image, Thomas brings in a sense of harshness and discomfort,
making the scene of mourning both emotionally and physically intense.
He uses techniques like alliteration and consonance, where similar sounds in words create a rhythm. This
approach enhances how we experience the poem's imagery. This particular line shows Thomas's skill in
using sound to make the poem's emotions and images more vivid and impactful. He contrasts the real
and imagined images of Ann, providing a deep and complex view of grief. It's about recognizing the
fullness of a life that was lived and now mourned."

### Slide 6: The Narrator's Homage to Ann

"In the second half of the poem, from lines 21 to 40, we see a shift to a beautiful tribute to Ann Jones.
Dylan Thomas cleverly uses internal rhymes and a rhythmic style that draws you in. Take the lines 'call all'
and 'sing and swing' as examples. They're not just pretty to hear; they bring the poem to life, making a
stark contrast with the theme of death. Thomas also uses symbols, like the 'four, crossing birds.' These
could mean a lot of things – maybe they're about the soul's journey from this world to the next, or they
could represent four important qualities that Ann had. This part of the poem really connects the real
world with something more spiritual. It shows how much Thomas respected Ann and how hard he tried
to express what she meant to him."

### Slide 7: Poetic Devices and Their Impact

"In 'After the Funeral,' Dylan Thomas brilliantly uses poetic techniques. Let's look at the line, 'I know her
scrubbed and sour humble hands.' The repetition of similar sounds in these words makes them
memorable and reflects the lasting memory of Ann. The phrase 'humble hands' not only sounds pleasant
but also brings a real, down-to-earth feeling to her description, showing Ann's simple nature. The poem
subtly uses rhyme here and there, tying the lines together like a story. These poetic methods aren't just
for show; they have a real purpose. They help us see two sides of Ann: the real person the narrator
knew, with her 'scrubbed and sour humble hands,' and the grand, almost legendary figure he remembers
in his tribute. This contrast is a key part of the poem. It shows how Thomas captures the deep and
complex feelings of losing someone who was greatly admired."

### Slide 8: Conclusion: Thomas's Mastery of Sound and Sense

"As we wrap up our look at Dylan Thomas's 'After the Funeral,' we see that this poem is more than just a
tribute. It's a groundbreaking piece that hints at the themes and styles Thomas would explore in his later
works. Thomas skillfully mixes sound with meaning, using the rhythm and flow of words to deepen the
emotion in his writing. This poem is layered and complex, breaking the usual limits of poems about
mourning. It's a strong example of Thomas's talent in drawing out deep feelings by blending different
sounds and meanings. 'After the Funeral' is a key part of Thomas's work. It shows his growth as a poet
and his special way of turning his own sorrow into a broader look at loss, memory, and the lasting power
of love."