Themes: Loss of Faith
"Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold explores the theme of loss of faith amidst the backdrop of a changing world. The poem reflects on the erosion of religious faith and the broader disillusionment with the world due to industrialization and imperialism. Arnold uses the imagery of the sea to symbolize this loss, suggesting a world once full of faith now left barren and devoid of certainty.
The poem begins with serene imagery, "The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair," which quickly shifts to a darker tone. The "grating roar of pebbles" introduces a sense of unease, symbolizing the harsh reality beneath the surface beauty. This shift mirrors the transition from a world once enveloped by faith to one marked by despair and uncertainty.
The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating, to the breath
Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear
And naked shingles of the world.
Arnold's "Sea of Faith" once symbolized a world full of belief and hope, but now it retreats, leaving the world exposed and vulnerable. The imagery of the sea's "withdrawing roar" captures the sense of loss and the absence of faith that once provided comfort and meaning.
The poem further emphasizes this loss through the comparison to Sophocles, who also recognized "the turbid ebb and flow of human misery." Arnold suggests that this misery is timeless and universal, highlighting the enduring nature of human suffering. The absence of faith exacerbates this condition, leaving humanity in a state of confusion and struggle.
In the final stanza, Arnold offers a glimmer of hope through personal connection. "Ah, love, let us be true to one another," he urges, suggesting that in a world devoid of faith and certainty, love remains a refuge. Yet, even this solace is overshadowed by the bleak reality of a world "where ignorant armies clash by night," indicating that love alone may not be enough to overcome the pervasive sense of loss and despair.
Expert Q&A
What distaste does the speaker express about the world and what does he believe caused it?
The speaker expresses distaste about the world due to the "eternal note of sadness" he perceives, which he attributes to human misery and the decline of religious faith, once a source of hope. He visualizes faith as a retreating sea, leaving the world devoid of joy, love, light, certitude, and peace. In response, he believes the solution is personal, urging individuals to cling to each other in love amidst society's suffering.
What is the meaning of these lines in Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach": "Retreating, to the breath / Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear / And naked shingles of the world"?
In Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach," the lines "Retreating, to the breath / Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear / And naked shingles of the world" metaphorically describe the withdrawal of faith, love, and beauty from the world. Arnold uses the imagery of the night-wind and dreary edges to illustrate a world becoming cold, lonely, and exposed—as faith diminishes, leaving the world vulnerable and bleak.
"Moonlight for Arnold is associated with melancholy, meditation, and despair." Elaborate with reference to "Dover Beach."
In "Dover Beach," moonlight underscores themes of melancholy, meditation, and despair. Arnold begins with a serene moonlit scene, which quickly turns somber as he reflects on the "melancholy, long, withdrawing roar" of the Sea of Faith. The moonlight highlights the world's lack of joy and certainty, symbolizing the retreat of faith and the ensuing chaos. This imagery conveys Arnold's despair about humanity's condition in a modern age devoid of spiritual solace.
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