With what vision did the Scholar Gipsy leave the university?
The Scholar Gipsy 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 The Scholar Gipsy.
Answer
With what vision did the Scholar Gipsy leave the university?
In “The Scholar Gipsy” (1853), Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) tells the story of a poor Oxford student who left the university. He did not leave because he was lazy or unhappy. He left with a special vision—a dream to find peace and powerful knowledge from the gipsies.
The Scholar’s Aim: The Scholar Gipsy was a very clever and curious student. The poet says he had a “quick inventive brain.” He was not happy with the normal life of study and job. He wanted to learn the secret knowledge of the gipsies. This was his one dream and one purpose.
Finding Deep Knowledge: One day, the Scholar Gipsy left Oxford and went to live with the gipsy people. He did not tell anyone. He just disappeared. His goal was to learn their art or skill. He wanted to learn everything from the gipsies and then tell their secrets to the world. So, he chose a life of searching and waiting. He lived far away in the countryside, always working quietly toward his goal. The poet imagines him as someone who is—
“Waiting for the spark from heaven to fall.”
This means his vision was to find peace and deep spiritual truth, away from the doubts and worries of the modern world.
In conclusion, the Scholar Gipsy left the university with a clear and strong vision. He wanted to live with the gipsies and learn a deep spiritual truth.