Analysis of Imagery and Other Literary Devices in Dover Beach

"Dover Beach" is a poignant four-stanza poem penned by the renowned poet Matthew Arnold. The verses open with a serene scene, where the speaker stands on a moonlit shore, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves. However, as the poem unfolds, it delves into a deeper exploration of human faith, the state of the world, and the profound sense of melancholy experienced by the speaker. Arnold employs a rich tapestry of literary devices, including imagery, simile, and personification, to convey the poem's evocative themes and emotions. This analysis will delve into the poem's structure and content, shedding light on how these literary elements combine to create a powerful and introspective narrative.

"Dover Beach" Analysis

The poem commences with a serene scene, with the speaker observing the moonlit water and listening to the soothing sound of the waves. The night air is described as "sweet," and the speaker stands on the pebbled shore gazing at the tranquil sea. However, amidst this beauty, the waves create a melancholic sound. The speaker's thoughts drift to a time in Greece, using the sound of the waves to transport him back there. The second stanza delves into this allusion further, contemplating how Sophocles might have perceived the same sea. This allusion establishes a connection between Sophocles and the speaker.

In the third stanza, the speaker employs the ocean as a metaphor for religion, reminiscing about a time when faith was more robust in people's lives. He reflects on how people once held faith "full" and "round," but just as the tide recedes, so has faith waned. The final stanza marks a significant shift in tone, becoming even more melancholic. The speaker introduces the notion that even if the world has lost its faith, perhaps some remnants can be salvaged. However, the world, represented by the crashing waves, is now perceived as chaotic and devoid of joy. Meaningless wars rage, and the speaker acknowledges his own loss of faith in this world. What began as a peaceful scene ends with the speaker losing hope in a world that has descended into ugliness and chaos.

Arnold initiates the poem by describing the beautiful sea and its surroundings. He expresses uncertainty about nature, and the poem's mood swiftly takes a negative turn. Throughout the poem, he portrays the landscape in a dismal light. In "Dover Beach," Matthew Arnold evokes a desolate and disheartening tone through the use of imagery, simile, and personification. These literary devices serve to depict a man standing on the beach, apprehensive about the state of the world.

Arnold effectively employs imagery to immerse the reader in the poem. He immediately engages the reader's senses at the start: "The sea is calm tonight. / The tide is full, the moon lies fair." The first stanza provides detailed descriptions of the speaker's surroundings, vividly painting a picture of natural beauty. However, as the poem progresses, imagery is used to convey the speaker's sadness and isolation. In the final stanza, the world is portrayed as having "neither joy, nor love, nor light," and the imagery culminates in the depiction of a "darkling plain / Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, / Where ignorant armies clash by night." These images underscore the contrast between the world's external beauty and the internal turmoil of its inhabitants, accentuating the speaker's loneliness.

Simile and personification are also deployed by Arnold to reinforce the poem's tone. The sea is compared to human sorrow and faith, with the speaker describing human faith as having been "at the full, / like the folds of a bright girdle." This simile, and perhaps personification, draws a connection between human faith and the image of a girdle, something worn by humans. Mary Midgley concurs with this interpretation in her article "Dover Beach: Understanding the Pains of Bereavement," in which she delves into the theme of lost faith in the poem. The speaker, disheartened by the world's loss of faith, expresses his desolation. Through these literary elements, the reader is enveloped in the character's emotions, establishing a pervasive sense of solitude.

Reflection

I found this poem particularly captivating because it made me feel as though I were right there within its verses. Arnold's adept use of imagery and meticulous attention to detail transported me to the beach alongside the speaker. The poem carried profound meaning, and I felt a deep connection to it. Analyzing this piece enhanced my appreciation for poetry, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Works Cited

1. Salerno, Nicholas A. “Shakespeare and Arnold's ‘Dover Beach.’” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 11, no. 4, 1960, pp. 495–496.
2. “Dover Beach: Understanding the Pains of Bereavement.” Philosophy, by Mary Midgley, No. 316, vol. 81, Cambridge University Press, 2006, pp. 209-230.
3. Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, and Writing. 11th ed.,Bedford/St. Martins, 2016 pp.772.