The Secret Lives of Ordinary People

Dylan Thomas is one of the 20th century’s legendary poets. In this episode, English journalist David Aaronovitch joins Shilo to discuss Thomas’ 1954 play Under Milk Wood, a portrait of a small Welsh seaside town, originally produced for radio. With rich, musical language, Thomas reveals the secret interior lives of the villagers—their dreams, lusts, resentments, and longings—without condescension, inviting the listener to see that “these people are you” and to recognize one’s own hidden thoughts in even the most comic or disturbing characters. They discuss how the play is exceptional in a flattened, cliché-ridden culture obsessed with exterior image and dismissive of the complexity of ordinary people. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices