Dover Beach
by Matthew Arnold
The sea is calm tonight.
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits; on the French coast the light
Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand,
Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Come to the window, sweet is the night-air!
Only, from the long line of spray
Where the sea meets the moon-blanched land,
Listen! you hear the grating roar
Of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling,
At their return, up the high strand,
Begin, and cease, and then again begin,
With tremulous cadence slow, and bring
The eternal note of sadness in.Sophocles long ago
Heard it on the Ægean, and it brought
Into his mind the turbid ebb and flow
Of human misery; we
Find also in the sound a thought,
Hearing it by this distant northern sea.The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating, to the breath
Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear
And naked shingles of the world.Ah, 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.
Summary of Dover Beach
- A Poem of Shifting Sands: Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach,” published in 1867, is a celebrated dramatic monologue that captures a profound sense of loss and disillusionment. It is more than a description of a seaside scene; it explores the collision between Victorian faith and the growing uncertainties of the modern world.
- The Erosion of Certainty: The poem opens with a tranquil image of calm sea and moonlit water, but this idyllic setting quickly becomes a backdrop for a deeper reflection. The speaker observes the “grating roar” of pebbles, a sound that evokes melancholy and links human suffering to the natural world. The poem argues that the world, once filled with beauty and faith, is now hollow and devoid of genuine joy. This loss of faith creates a climate of uncertainty, anxiety, and despair.
- Finding Solace in Connection: In the face of this bleak outlook, the speaker turns to love as a source of hope and stability. The final lines—“Ah, love, let us be true / To one another!”—are a plea for connection and mutual support in a world that offers little else. This highlights a central theme: in a universe stripped of inherent meaning, human relationships become all the more important.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “Dover Beach”
Arnold’s use of literary devices elevates “Dover Beach” beyond a simple descriptive poem, imbuing it with layers of meaning and emotional resonance. These devices work together to create a powerful and lasting impression on the reader.
- Imagery: Arnold paints vivid pictures with his words. Consider “The tide is full, the moon lies fair.” This sensory detail transports us to the scene, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. Later, the imagery shifts to reflect darker themes, with descriptions of “the vast edges drear / And naked shingles of the world.”
- Symbolism: The sea itself is a powerful symbol, representing both the immensity of the universe and the relentless passage of time. The receding tide symbolizes the ebbing of faith and the loss of certainty. The “shingles of the world” suggest a barren and desolate landscape, mirroring the speaker’s emotional state.
- Pathetic Fallacy: Arnold personifies the natural world, attributing human emotions to inanimate objects. The “eternal note of sadness” is not simply a sound but a feeling projected onto the waves. This technique helps emphasize the poem’s melancholic tone and connects the speaker’s inner turmoil with the external world.
- Allusion: The reference to Sophocles, the ancient Greek playwright, is crucial. It connects the speaker’s feelings of despair to the timeless experience of human suffering. Sophocles, known for his tragic plays, provides a historical and cultural context for the speaker’s lament.
- Assonance and Alliteration: Arnold skillfully employs these sound devices to create musicality and emphasize certain phrases. For example, the repetition of the “l” sound in “Lay like the folds” creates a flowing, lyrical effect.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “Dover Beach”
Beyond literary devices, Arnold’s command of poetic techniques further enhances the poem’s impact. These elements shape the poem’s structure, rhythm, and overall aesthetic.
- Stanza Structure: The poem consists of four stanzas, each varying in length and rhythm. This irregularity reflects the shifting moods and themes within the poem. The first stanza is relatively structured, mirroring the initial sense of calm. As the poem progresses, the stanzas become more fragmented and emotionally charged.
- Irregular Meter and Rhythm: While the poem hints at iambic pentameter, it does not adhere to it rigidly. This irregularity contributes to the poem’s sense of unease and emotional complexity. The rhythm mirrors the ebb and flow of the sea, as well as the speaker’s fluctuating emotions.
- Enjambment: Arnold frequently uses enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—to create a sense of flow and momentum. This technique also helps to emphasize certain words and phrases. For example, consider “And we are here as on a darkling plain / Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight.”
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem does not employ a strict rhyme scheme, which contributes to its conversational and natural tone. However, Arnold occasionally uses subtle rhymes to create a sense of unity and musicality.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from “Dover Beach” are particularly evocative and can be used to describe a moment of peaceful contemplation or a feeling of melancholy:
“The sea is calm tonight.
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits; on the French coast the light
Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand,
Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.”
Or, to capture the poem’s overall sense of loss and uncertainty:
“The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar.”
“Dover Beach” remains a powerful and relevant poem, offering a timeless meditation on faith, loss, and the enduring need for human connection. By carefully examining its literary and poetic devices, we can unlock a deeper appreciation for Arnold’s artistry and the poem’s enduring message.