"Dover Beach" is a poem written by Matthew Arnold, and it is generally believed that the intended audience is a broad range of readers who appreciate poetry. Arnold wrote this poem during the Victorian era, a time when people were grappling with religious doubt, rapid societal changes, and a sense of disillusionment. These themes are present in "Dover Beach," and the poem can be seen as a reflection of the emotions and concerns of people living during that time.
The subject matter of "Dover Beach" is deeply affected by these themes. The poem begins with a description of the beautiful English Channel and its coastline, which creates a peaceful, serene atmosphere. However, as the poem progresses, the tone shifts, and the speaker begins to express feelings of uncertainty and sadness.
This shift is most evident when Arnold introduces the metaphor of the "Sea of Faith," which represents religious faith and its decline during the Victorian era. The speaker laments the loss of faith and the resulting emptiness and confusion experienced by people in this period.
In the final stanza, Arnold addresses his beloved, urging her to remain true to their love amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the world. The poem, thus, serves as a commentary on the importance of human connection and love in a world that seems to be losing its sense of meaning and purpose.
In summary, the intended audience for "Dover Beach" is readers who can relate to the themes of doubt, loss of faith, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The subject matter of the poem is deeply influenced by these themes, and Arnold's exploration of them resonates with the experiences and emotions of his contemporaries.
The provided answer is generally accurate but could be expanded to provide more information on the intended audience, point of view, reasons for creation, and the meaning of the "HIPPO" of the poem.
Regarding the intended audience, the answer correctly states that it is a broad range of readers who appreciate poetry. However, it could be further noted that Arnold himself was a prominent cultural critic and essayist of his time, and his poetry often reflected his views on society and culture. Therefore, while the poem may appeal to a general audience, it may also be of particular interest to those interested in Victorian literature and cultural history.
The answer also briefly touches on the point of view of the poem, but it could be more explicitly stated that the poem is written in the first-person perspective, with the speaker expressing their personal feelings and observations.
The question of why the poem was created is only partially addressed in the answer. One possible motivation for Arnold was to explore the impact of changing societal norms and the decline of religious faith on the human experience. Arnold was a self-proclaimed "man of letters" who saw his role as a cultural critic, and his poetry often reflects his concerns about the state of contemporary culture.
Finally, the answer mentions the "HIPPO" of the poem, but it may be unclear to some readers what this refers to. "HIPPO" is an acronym used in literary analysis to refer to the historical, institutional, psychological, philosophical, and ethical contexts that shape a work of literature. In the case of "Dover Beach," these contexts include the historical and cultural changes of the Victorian era, the influence of religion and philosophy on the speaker's worldview, and the ethical implications of the poem's message.
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