Nice and Easy? Geezers Never Go Gentle: They Do It Nice and Rough

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

From “Do not go gentle into that good night"

By Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)

The poem “Do not go gentle into that good night,” published in 1951 by Dylan Thomas, is a son’s plea to his dying father. The speaker seeks to show his father that while all men face the same end, they must fight for life nonetheless. He is trying to postpone the inevitable by pleading for a little more time, feeling that his father is giving up and that maybe if he can prove to him that no one should give up regardless of their disposition, then his father will be able to get off his deathbed.

This poem is about far more than the approaching death of a beloved father. It's also about the death of hope, as well as the will to fight against the odds. The theme can be expanded to triumphing over hopelessness and helplessness. As Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican bishop and theologian known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist, once said, “Hope is being able to see there is light despite all the darkness.”

We all face the same end. No one's health, wealth, status, or riches ever saved them from dying and being buried with nothing. As seemingly insurmountable obstacles occur in our lives, some peacefully surrender or otherwise resign themselves to their fate. Others choose to “rage against the dying of the light.”

As old age takes its toll, we seniors contemplate the reality of death. We begin to search for meaning and purpose in what is happening, and it takes tremendous emotional and spiritual energy to continue our journey. With constant reevaluation, we try to maintain both our dignity and our health.

What Does Rage Have To Do With It?

Yogi Berra – Major League Baseball player, manager, and Hall of Famer – sums it all up in a quote about the old ball game: “It ain't over 'til it's over, no matter how over it looks.” Of course, the humor is apparent in what most call a gaffe; however, Yogi's statement may be the epitome of wisdom as we all begin to realize the scarcity of life.

“Rage” is not necessarily anger that seethes from incoherent and impotent emotion. It is not confined to lashing out in spurts of mindless and uncontrolled wrath. Anger, itself, is a natural, adaptive response to threats; it inspires powerful, often aggressive, feelings and behaviors, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we are attacked. A certain amount of anger, therefore, is necessary to our survival.

Controlled inner-rage – anger – does not seek to hurt others. Instead, it is akin to being assertive, not being pushy or demanding; it means being respectful of one's self and others. The aim is to inhibit or suppress this antagonism and convert it into more constructive behaviors.

Research confirms that bursts of anger can spark greater creativity. In brainstorming tasks, angry people come up with more original and varied solutions, compared to people who had been primed to feel sad or emotionally neutral. The increased arousal appears to super-charge the mind, allowing it to draw connections that are unavailable in other emotion states.

A caveat – an initial burst of creative energy appears to burn out quickly. Still, the benefits are worth considering whenever we face an irritating obstacle. Unpleasant feelings of frustration might just inspire a breakthrough. Anger can serve to increase persistence throughout tasks. Rather than causing us to give up, the annoyance can energize us, so that we seek to solve even the most challenging puzzle.

Brett Ford at the University of Toronto, Canada, speaks about the athletic edge provided by a burst of anger and its physical benefit of increased strength. “Anger is a kind of mobilizing emotion that is physiologically activating,” explains Ford. “And you can use that activation to serve a physical goal.” When interpreting these kinds of results, Ford emphasizes that the context of the situation and the intensity of the feelings are all important. “Moderation is key,” he says.

(David Robson. “How anger can be put to good use.” BBC Future. July 23, 2020.)

David Robson – award-winning science writer specializing in the extremes of the human brain, body and behavior – reports that Maya Tamir, who worked with Ford at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, found that people who score high on tests of emotional intelligence are more likely to cultivate feelings of anger before a confrontation.

Interestingly, this seems to be related to greater overall well being: knowing when to express anger, and how to do so appropriately, may help people to recover more quickly from a stressful situation, leading to better psychological health.

(David Robson. “How anger can be put to good use.” BBC Future. July 23, 2020.)

The Greek philosopher Aristotle acknowledged anger's potential to bring about positive change, provided that it did not undermine reason.

In his view, the great challenge was “to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way.” The latest scientific research may put us all a little bit closer to achieving that wisdom.

Arnold Palmer 

Closing

And, don't we all respect personal determination, grit, and fortitude? Raging against “darkness” is a hallmark of the underdog who transforms his or her rage into useful actions. God knows that old age presents challenges for all. Those who persevere use their strong human will to great advantage. Giving in to pain, depression, and the obvious restraints of time can result in the crippling of that will – our best ally in times of need.

If we surrender prematurely, we lose every advantage of a “rage” for survival. Each has a unique journey, and as we walk the path to our final destinations, we experience related anger and frustration. Why not use that inevitable indignation to our advantage instead of letting it be an agent of unrestrained consumption?

I'll leave you with a quote from Little Big Man, a film you may have seen starring Dustin Hoffman as Jack Crabb, a Caucasian raised by the Cheyenne nation during the 19th century.

In a tale told to Little Big Man (Crabb) about the legendary “Little Man” – Crazy Horse – there is reference to the legendary leader's famous quote which has become an expression of the absurd willingness and even eagerness to give one's life in the name of one's cause. “Today is a good day to die.”

Jack accompanies Old Lodge Skins to a nearby hill, the Indian Burial Ground, where the old man, dressed in full Chief's regalia, has declared "It is a good day to die,” and decides to end his life with dignity. He offers his spirit to the Great Spirit, and lies down at his spot to wait for death.

Instead, it begins to rain. Old Lodge Skins is revealed to still be alive, and says, "Sometimes the magic works, and sometimes it doesn't.” The old chief then decides he will postpone his demise to another day. So, they return to his tepee to have dinner. It was evidently not “a good day to die.”

This humor underlies the defeatist tendency to feel life is over before it really is – the same thing Yogi Berra famously decreed about baseball. I believe the journey of life can end with a human hand or through the aid of a defeated mind. Rage on, you geezers. Besides, wasn't it Baby Boomer rocker Neil Young who said “It's better to burn out than to fade away”?

Setting the Record Straight

By the way, in all likelihood, Crazy Horse never really said, "Today is a good day to die." It is the English bastardization of a common Sioux battle-cry, "Nake nula wauŋ welo!" ("nake nula waung"). This phrase means, "I am ready for whatever comes.” It was meant to show the warriors were not afraid of the battle or dying in it.

(John G. Neihardt. Black Elk Speaks. 1932.)

Righteous Wrath 

There are many kinds of hatred, as many kinds of fire;
And some are fierce and fatal with murderous desire;
And some are mean and craven, revengeful, sullen, slow,
They hurt the man that holds them more than they hurt his foe.

And yet there is a hatred that purifies the heart:
The anger of the better against the baser part,
Against the false and wicked, against the tyrant’s sword,
Against the enemies of love, and all that hate the Lord.

O cleansing indignation, O flame of righteous wrath,
Give me a soul to feel thee and follow in thy path!
Save me from selfish virtue, arm me for fearless fight,
And give me strength to carry on, a soldier of the Right!

By Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933), poet and Presbyterian Minister