What does the poet say about ‘Modern People’ in “The Scholar Gipsy”?

Answer

What does the poet say about ‘Modern People’ in “The Scholar Gipsy”?

Or, How does Arnold present a contrast between the life of the Scholar Gipsy and that of the modern man? 

In “The Scholar Gipsy” (1853), Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) compares the calm and hopeful life of the Scholar Gipsy with the unhappy and restless life of modern people. He shows that modern people are full of confusion, doubts, and worries. “We” are the modern people in this poem.

Full of Confusion: Arnold says that modern people do not have one clear aim. They are always changing their thoughts and desires. He writes,

“Each strives, nor knows for what he strives.”

This means people try many things, but they do not know what they really want. They are tired in body and mind. Their hearts are weak, and they do not have strong beliefs.

Divided Minds and No Real Faith: Modern men are not strong in belief. They are “half-believers.” It means they cannot keep full faith in anything they do. Arnold also says modern people start many things, but they finish nothing. Every year brings new hopes and new disappointments.

Contrast with the Scholar Gipsy: The Scholar Gipsy is different. He has only one aim, and he follows it with peace and patience. He is not tired like modern people. He waits for “the spark from heaven,” meaning true knowledge. He is full of hope and calm strength, while modern people are full of worry and weakness.

In fine, Matthew Arnold shows that modern people live with no peace, no purpose, and no hope. The Scholar Gipsy is a symbol of a better, more meaningful life, which modern people have lost.