Analysis of Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold - Essay Example

Analysis of ‘Dover Beach’ by Matthew Arnold The poem is an expression of incidences relayed by the persona on an evening with his love where they are having a view of the straits of Dover. The Dover coast is so attractive that it captures the attention of the persona, he mentions the unique features present such as, the blinking French Lighthouse, the moon, the quiet sea, as well as the white cliffs of Dover. Standing beside the sea, he is able to see the gentle waves, the sandy shores, the weak breeze, and the calm sea. The persona asks his love to come to the window so that she could also catch up a glimpse of the spectacular features and scenery. Despite the peaceful environment the persona and his love listens to the rasping sound of the pebbles that are being dragged by the waves in and out of the ocean. The poet in the second stanza mentions that Sophocles, an historical character associated with the incidences at the shore. This stanza carries us back to the time while helping us link the incident at the shore with what happened in the past. Sophocles might have heard a similar sound in the Aegean that reminded him of human suffering. Such a sound is heard from a distance in the north but all this occurs in the thoughts of the persona. He further talks about the ‘Sea of Faith’ (line 21) that existed at one time but it is only heard. Faith was beheld by a mighty sea that touched on every part of the earth. He asks his love that they ought to be true to one another despite the many issues that surrounds them. He seems to point out that the world that they are in is full of beautiful and good things but it lacks true joy, spiritual light, as well as true love. These are the ingredients of a well-lived life; it could be ironical to leave them out. He mentions that the world is coupled with several uncertainties especially when help is required. The poem has been structured in a manner that it captures diverse aspects within its body. Firstly, the title of the poem closely relates with what is happening. The poets focus is in drawn to Dover beach that is on the French coast despite them occupying a position in England. Secondly, the poem is basically a monologue that consists of thirty seven lines and is divided into four sections, with each having some different view. The first section brings into view the location of the persona and the unfolding of events. The second section talks about Sophocles and what happened to him in relation to the incidence at the Dover beach. He is a person whose history has a basis of the same incidence. The third talks about the action of the tide as he brings a dimension of faith. Finally, he turns his attention to address his lover. The poem has been guided a special message that the poet is attempting to communicate to his audience. The theme of love has been presented in this poem. At the beginning of the poem, we are introduced to a serene environment that bears two lovers. At the seaside, the persona introduces her lover to the spectacular features that are evident at the shore. They seem to be sharing something together that is demonstrated by the fact that he is showing her the amazing scenery that has amused him. The second theme that has been used is the reference to history, the author brings Sophocles into the scene to help us link what is happening at the shore with an incident that happened in history. His situation is used in demonstration of human suffering hence the poet is keep to consider the happenings in his own case. In the third stanza, he brings a dimension of faith; this is brought as a metaphor. In line 23, he uses the expression, “like the folds of a bright girdle furled” to demonstrate the type of clothing that was associated by the religion when it was still intact. He mentions that the results of loss of the former faith have resulted to “vast edges drear and naked shingles of the world” (lines 27-28). In the last stanza, the aspect of love and romance appears again. The persona resumes from thoughts and begins engaging his partner. He is seeking for honesty in their relationship because of the dynamics that are involved. The poem is structured into four stanzas, all which bear different structures. The first stanza has fourteen lines while the second one has six. In addition, the third one has eight lines and finally the fourth one has nine lines. The poet has not adopted a rhyme scheme in any way. The arrangement of thoughts by the poet is not very straightforward, it requires a critical analyst to understand the message conveyed by the poet. In addition, the structure of the poem is not any obvious; it too requires a thorough critical analysis to understand what the poet is up to. The poet demonstrates language mastery by the way he is able to play around with his words while making it possible for the audience to get his message. Each stanza seems to carry a given message that is different from the rest while maintaining a flow of the poem. The poem is basically easy to read through but it requires a second thought to deduce the aspects that have been captured therein in entirety. The poem has considerably used a number of stylistic devices. However, the use of metaphors has been conspicuous. The poet talks about the “waves that draw back and fling” (line 10), here the waves are seen to depict an unusual character. Having a character that depicts waves as intelligent helps, us figure out its magnitude, intensity and the behavior. Such a relationship makes the poem interesting as well as invoking the thought of the reader. In the second stanza, Arnold uses a metaphor to explain the tides. He compares the ebb and flow of human misery to the sea tides. This translates to the argument that is being brought forth that the fortunes of Oedipus are likened to the ebb and the flow of the sand in the sea. Again, this is very useful in drawing the attention of the reader as well as facilitating the plot of the poem. In the last line of the second stanza, Arnold makes it clear that the sound of the sea allows the “eternal note of sadness in,” such a comparison is again helpful in understanding the sound of the wave. Another metaphor is the mention of “the Sea of Faith”; this is because it compares the ocean water with one’s beliefs. This statement clearly shows the kind of faith that he is talking about, not simple faith or ‘a pool of faith’ but one that is bigger than these. Now that the poem is focused on him and his lover in this beautiful place (Dover beach), this metaphor makes not only the topic relevant but also appropriate. In addition, Arnold compares the night wind to a living thing when he mentions about the “breath of the night wind” (lines 26-27). Wind is inanimate and therefore it does not have any breath, giving it the character that it can breathe helps us figure out the type of wind that the persona is talking about. Again, such a statement complements the poem’s plot since the wind in description here is one that is experienced at the beach. This poem is a melancholic one. The poet raises feelings in this poem through the expressions that he uses. He brings the human feelings by placing them on the inanimate things such as the sea. The repetitive aspect that has been adopted in the first four lines of the first stanza demonstrates the exact incidence on the ground. The poet has used “is” in these four lines to relate the features and sceneries with himself. A repetition in stanza four of “nor” demonstrates denials of what is vital for humans in their lives. This is because he talks about all the human values that are required for humans to live well with self and others. Probably the poet is attempting to draw a picture of the world that he lives in. In conclusion, Arnold’s poem on the “Dover Beach” describes a spectacular experience at the beach (Dover beach). While giving an attention to what is happening at the sea, he is categorical about his admiration of its soundscape as well as the retreating tide. The retreating of the tide has been viewed by the poet metaphorically as related to the loss of faith in the modern society. The poet goes on to demonstrate her love to her lover where again the language used is rich in metaphors. The poem is rich of poetic devices, but the use of metaphors is so dominant across all the stanzas. This richness is metaphors makes the poem interesting ti read as well as capable of invoking thought. The structure and the language use in the poem is not straight forward, it requires critical though to grasp the entire concept in the poem. Works Cited Arnold, Matthew. (1867). Dover Beach. Read More