How does “Dover Beach” imply love as the only consolation in a spiritual wasteland?
Dover Beach is a notable literary work by Matthew Arnold. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Dover Beach.
Answer
How does “Dover Beach” imply love as the only consolation in a spiritual wasteland?
Matthew Arnold’s (1822-1888) poem “Dover Beach” (1867) is famous for its deep sadness and sense of loss. The poem talks about how religious faith is disappearing, leaving the world uncertain and empty. However, in this dark and confusing world, Arnold suggests that love is the only thing that can bring comfort and meaning. The final lines of the poem show how love is the only thing that remains true when everything else feels lost.
A World Without Faith: At the beginning of the poem, the speaker describes the beautiful sea at night. The moon shines on the calm water, and the air is peaceful. The speaker begins:
The sea is calm tonight.
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
This creates a picture of a quiet and beautiful world. However, soon, the speaker hears the sound of the waves, which reminds him of something sad.
He talks about how, in the past, faith was strong. He compares faith to a great sea that surrounded the world and kept people safe:
The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full,
This “Sea of Faith” once gave people hope, meaning, and a connection to God. But now, this sea is “retreating,” or pulling away, leaving the world “naked.” This means that people no longer feel sure about life, religion, or their purpose. The world, once full of meaning, now feels empty and lost.
A Dark and Confusing World: After describing the loss of faith, Arnold uses a powerful image to show how the world feels without it. He compares the world to a dark battlefield where “ignorant armies clash by night.” This means that people are fighting and struggling, but they do not know why or what they are fighting for. Without faith, life seems like a place full of confusion, fear, and meaningless struggles.