Write a Critical Appreciation of the Poem “Dover Beach”.

    "Dover Beach" is a poem written by Matthew Arnold in 1867. The poem is a dramatic monologue in which the speaker reflects on the decline of faith in the modern world. The poem is characterized by its use of vivid imagery, its exploration of the complexities of human experience, and its use of a melancholy tone to convey the speaker's sense of loss and despair. 

Critical Appreciation of the Poem “Dover Beach”:

    The poem begins with a description of the sea at Dover Beach. The speaker describes the "grating roar" of the pebbles on the beach and the "eternal note of sadness" that seems to be present in the sound of the waves. The use of vivid imagery creates a sense of the power and majesty of nature, while also conveying a sense of melancholy and despair.

    The speaker then reflects on the decline of faith in the modern world. He describes how the "Sea of Faith" once "was full" but is now "retreating." The use of metaphor creates a sense of the loss and despair that the speaker feels as a result of the decline of faith. The metaphor of the "Sea of Faith" also creates a sense of the vastness and power of faith, which is now receding like the tide.

    The speaker then reflects on the darkness and confusion of the modern world. He describes how the

"world, which seems

To lie before us like a land of dreams,

So various, so beautiful, so new,

Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,

Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain."

    The use of repetition and the list of negative qualities create a sense of the speaker's despair and sense of loss. The description of the world as a "land of dreams" also creates a sense of the speaker's disillusionment with the modern world.

    The speaker then turns to his companion and asks her to "be true" to him. The use of direct address creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The speaker then reflects on the power of love to provide comfort and solace in the face of the darkness and confusion of the modern world. He describes how

"love, let us be true

To one another! for the world, which seems

To lie before us like a land of dreams,

So various, so beautiful, so new,

Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,

Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;

And we are here as on a darkling plain

Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,

Where ignorant armies clash by night."

 

    The use of repetition and the reference to the darkness and confusion of the modern world create a sense of the speaker's fear and vulnerability. The reference to "ignorant armies" creates a sense of the senseless violence and chaos of the modern world.

In conclusion, "Dover Beach" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the decline of faith in the modern world. The poem is characterized by its use of vivid imagery, its exploration of the complexities of human experience, and its use of a melancholy tone to convey the speaker's sense of loss and despair. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of faith, love, and the human condition, and it continues to be celebrated today as one of the greatest examples of Victorian poetry.