Matthew Arnold shows the conflict between religion and science in the poem “Dover Beach” by showing the “Sea of Faith” as being in retreat from a world in which there is “neither joy, nor love, nor light.”

The last three lines of "Dover Beach" reflect Arnold's view that the decline of religion has left humanity in a state of confusion and conflict, symbolized by a "darkling plain." Hecht's "Dover Bitch" mocks this pessimism, suggesting that people can still find straightforward happiness and that Arnold's somber outlook is overly dramatic and not appealing to everyone.

These lines from "Dover Beach" signify a connection between Arnold and Sophocles, suggesting that both heard a metaphorical "note of sadness" from the sea. Arnold implies that Sophocles, who wrote about human misery and conflict, was inspired by a similar awareness of life's turbulent nature. The reference highlights the timelessness of human suffering, comparing the ancient playwright's insights to Arnold's own reflections on the declining "Sea of Faith" and its impact on modern society.

The "Sea of Faith" retreating in "Dover Beach" symbolizes the waning of religious faith and certainty in the modern world. Its significance lies in highlighting the loss of spiritual assurance and the resulting sense of melancholy and confusion, reflecting the poet's concerns about the consequences of this decline on human experience and society.

In "Dover Beach," Arnold discusses uncertainty as a simple fact of the world we live in. With waning religious faith, people can only count on the love they feel for one another; our relationships are our only certainty in a world that offers no "certitude," peace, or joy.

"Dover Beach" suggests that love is the only consolation in a spiritual wasteland. The poem contrasts the retreat of the "sea of faith" with the enduring human misery, highlighting a world devoid of hope, love, and peace. Despite this bleak setting, the narrator urges his love to remain true, implying that personal love offers a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. This plea for fidelity is the poem's sole moment of optimism.

In the final stanza of "Dover Beach," the speaker's solution to the loss of faith is to seek solace in personal relationships, specifically in the love and companionship of his partner. However, he finds little consolation, as the poem ends on a note of uncertainty and despair, suggesting that human connection cannot fully compensate for the loss of religious faith.

In "Dover Beach," Matthew Arnold explores the transformation of faith from a once unifying and comforting force to one of uncertainty and loss. The poem reflects the diminishing influence of religion in the modern world, highlighting a shift from collective belief to individual doubt and melancholy, symbolized by the receding "Sea of Faith."

The "pebbles" and "shingles" in the poem symbolize the erosion of religious faith, reflecting the theme of lost faith. The pebbles, drawn by the waves, represent people or their faith, subject to uncontrollable external forces. This imagery conveys the "eternal note of sadness" linked to human misery and the retreat of the "Sea of Faith," leaving humanity exposed to harsh realities. The poem captures the era's spirit, marked by religious doubt and existential uncertainty.

In the poet's age, the Sea of Faith is retreating, symbolizing the decline of Victorian religious certainty. The poet hears its "melancholy, long, withdrawing roar" as the tide recedes, reflecting a defiant yet sad departure. The "grating roar" of pebbles signifies the irreversible retreat of confident Christian faith. Amidst this melancholy, the poet emphasizes the enduring importance of love, urging commitment to personal relationships despite the era's decline.