Survey of criticism of Dylan Thomas's poetry from 1934 to 1954 and a bibliography from 1934 to 1966

The thesis presents a survey of criticism of .Dylan Thomas's poetry from the publication of 18 Poems in 1934 to 1954* a year after the poet's death. Contemporary reaction to the poetry is presented and assessed* and some aspects of the criticism considered with regard to the poetry. The material is mainly presented chronologically! the reviews are chronologically grouped according to the volume reviewed, hut within the group are dealt with according to some major aspect of the content, to give a degree of thematic continuity. Articles written between volumes appear chronologically, and some of the poet's earlier letters are used to show his own view of his work. The survey includes the development of various points raised by the reviewers: the consideration of 18 Poems includes some investigation into the monotony of the vocabulary to substantiate the complaints on this score| a similar investigation is made to substantiate the claims that 18 Poems and 25 Poems contain many rhythmic monotonies; some reasons for Thomas's obscurity are considered, and after the present¬ ation of the reviews of Deaths and htranees, "Poem in October" is analysed in order to demonstrate the technical virtuosity acclaimed by many critics, but denied vigorously by some, and is seen to be a poem of very fine technical quality, even if its theme is not of major importance