Comment on the Elegiac Note in Arnold’s Poetry

Answer

Comment on the elegiac note in Arnold’s poetry. 

Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was a notable English poet and critic. His work often explored themes of culture, society, and the men’s place within it. Arnold’s poetry is known for its reflective and contemplative nature. Two of his poems, “The Scholar-Gypsy” (1853) and “Thyrsis” (1866), particularly highlight his use of elegiac tones to explore themes of loss and longing.

The Loss of Idealism: In “The Scholar-Gypsy,” Arnold expresses an elegiac tone through the loss of the idealistic pursuit. The scholar abandons Oxford to join a group of gypsies. He  symbolizes a quest for truth that contrasts with the superficiality of modern life. Arnold says, 

One summer-morn forsook

His friends, and went to learn the gipsy-lore,…

But came to Oxford and his friends no more.

The elegiac note here is expressed through the contrast between the eternal quest of the scholar and the transient nature of contemporary society.

The Passing of Time: In “Thyrsis,” Arnold directly addresses the passage of time and its impact on both his personal life and the broader world. The poem is an elegy for his friend Arthur Hugh Clough. Arnold writes, 

Here came I often, often, in old days—

Thyrsis and I; we still had Thyrsis then.

The elegiac tone in this poem is evident in Arnold’s reflections on how time has changed the landscape and his own experiences. 

Nostalgia for the Past: Both poems (earlier discussed) convey a strong sense of nostalgia for a past. In “The Scholar-Gypsy,” Arnold contrasts the scholar’s timeless quest with the world of men. This nostalgia is a form of elegy for a past ideal that cannot be recaptured. Similarly, in “Thyrsis,” Arnold reflects on the idealized pastoral world. He expresses a deep sense of loss for the simpler, more beautiful world of the past.

The Role of Nature: Nature plays a significant role in conveying the elegiac tone in both poems. In “The Scholar-Gypsy,” the scholar’s journey is intertwined with the natural world. Arnold uses the natural setting to emphasize the scholar’s eternal search and the poet’s sense of loss. In “Thyrsis,” nature is also central to the elegiac mood. Here, the poet describes the shepherd’s field, followingly: 

That sweet city with her dreaming spires,

This line symbolizes a timeless beauty that remains even as individual lives end.

The Legacy of Friendship: The elegiac tone in “Thyrsis” is deeply connected to Arnold’s sense of personal loss and the legacy of friendship. The poem reflects on the impact of Clough’s death and the void it leaves in Arnold’s life. He writes, 

Our friend, the Gipsy-Scholar, was not dead;

While the tree lived, he in these fields lived on.

This excerpt symbolizes the end of a cherished relationship and the poet’s enduring grief.

In conclusion, Matthew Arnold’s “The Scholar-Gypsy” and “Thyrsis” both utilize elegiac tones vividly. This tone explores themes of loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Through these poems, Arnold reflects on the idealism of the past, the impact of time, and the personal grief of losing a friend. His use of elegy highlights his deep sense of mourning and longing for a world that seems to be slipping away.