Treatment of Nature in the Poems of Matthew Arnold.

Answer

Comment on the treatment of nature in the poems of Matthew Arnold.

Nature is a recurrent theme in the Victorian poets’ literary work. Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was a British Victorian poet and cultural critic. His works frequently explore the relationship between nature and human experience. In his poems, Arnold uses nature as an essential element to shape the themes and emotions of his poems.

Nature Symbolizing Change: In “Thyrsis,” Arnold presents nature as both a constant and a changing force. The poem mourns the loss of Arnold’s friend, Arthur Hugh Clough. This also contrasts the unchanging landscape with the changes in human life. 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. This constancy of nature illustrates how nature remains while human circumstances evolve.

A Reflection of Emotions: Arnold’s poem “Dover Beach” opens with a serene depiction of the natural world: 

The sea is calm tonight, 

The tide is full, the moon lies fair.

However, this tranquility is soon contrasted with the poet’s inner turmoil. The “eternal note of sadness” heard in the waves mirrors Arnold’s despair over the loss of faith and certainty in the modern world.

Escaping Modern World: In “The Scholar Gypsy,” Arnold uses nature as a symbol of escape from the industrialized, modern world. The poem tells the story of an Oxford scholar who leaves his studies to live among Gypsies. The poet illustrates the countryside as 

The warm green-muffled Cumner hills,

These words represent a refuge from the pressures and distractions of contemporary society. This idealized natural world offers a place where one can find peace and a deeper understanding of life.

A Source of Inspiration and Reflection: Arnold often portrays nature as a source of inspiration and reflection. In “Thyrsis,” the poet finds solace in the memory of his friend through the familiar landscape. The imagery of nature helps him process his grief and celebrate the life that once was. Similarly, in “The Scholar Gypsy,” the natural world inspires the scholar to seek a purer, more meaningful existence. Here are some  lines to understand the point: 

For what wears out the life of mortal men? 

 ’Tis that from change to change their being rolls,

These lines suggest that true wisdom and tranquility are found in nature’s constancy and simplicity.

The Transient Human Life: Arnold frequently uses nature to highlight the transient nature of human life. In “Dover Beach,” the sea’s timelessness contrasts with human struggles and doubts. The waves that “bring / The eternal note of sadness in” serve as a reminder of the perpetual cycles of nature. In “Thyrsis,” the unchanged landscape emphasizes the fleeting nature of human existence.

In conclusion, Matthew Arnold treats nature to reveal his deep contemplation of the natural world and its relationship to human experience. In his poems, nature serves as a symbol of constancy and change, and reflects human emotions. It also offers an escape from modern life, highlighting the transience of human existence.