In "Dover Beach", Matthew Arnold sees human misery (as a result of human conflict and war) as the only dependable thing in life. While there is physical beauty and majesty in the created world, such as in the “cliffs of England” that stand proudly, it is no guarantee of happiness and tranquility. The reason is that human beings, after thousands of years of conflict, still continue to fight.
Despite some beauty in the world, the poet is saying that “The eternal note of sadness…” still washes up on shore – a reference to the fact that pain and suffering are part of human existence and are even manifest more so when human beings resort to armed conflict to settle disputes.
Strong faith is no longer something that people hold to, according to Matthew Arnold in this poem. Civilization once had a stronger faith and a higher purpose and calling to believe in. However, the poet says that this faith has receded or withdrawn – people are more fearful and beaten down because of incessant human conflict.
However, Matthew Arnold does also allude to the fact that there is also dependability in love. This is as a direct counterpoint to the horrors of war. In the last stanza of this four stanza poem the poet writes:
“Ah, love, let us be true
To one another!”
He is saying that amidst all the trials of life, people can, and do, depend on one another in loving relationships. The poet is saying that love and being true to one another is an oasis of security when turmoil abounds in the world.
So, while war and conflict is the only dependable thing as concerns society as a whole – as nations deal with each other – love is often dependable on the individual human level (in personal relationships). This is something people can hold onto and maybe it can ultimately be a faith builder in people’s lives. It is something to strive for – true loving relationships – in a world that increasingly “Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain.”
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