Matthew Arnold communicates the theme of religious doubt throughout the poem. The poet believes that people in the modern era have lost the virtue of faith, and this includes one of the main evidence of the theme of religious doubt. This paper entails an analysis of the subject of religious doubt in the poem "Dover Beach". It also discusses this theme by analyzing imagery, sound elements and scanning two lines from line 10-14 in the poem.
Mathew uses various forms of imagery to bring out his theme. In the first and second line, Arnold uses auditory imagery. He writes about the calmness of the sea, the fairness of the moon and fullness of the tide. By using such imagery, he enables the reader understand the tone of the poem. Apart from that, the poet uses visual imagery. In line six, he writes about the vastness of England’s cliff. This form of imagery is used to create a picture in the readers mind about how big or severe his theme is. In addition, Arnold also uses the kinesthetic imagery to show his theme. In line thirty three and thirty four, he writes about the world not having peace, love or certitude. He use this form of imagery to enable his audience have a glimpse of valuable feelings absent in the modern world.
The poet also uses various sound effects to demonstrate the theme of religious doubt. The poet uses various sound effects such as assonance, alliteration and onomatopoeia. Arnold uses onomatopoeia as he describes the pebbles sound. The poet uses this form of sound to engage the sound sense of his audience in his thematic atmosphere. This enhances better understanding of the poet’s theme. Apart from that, the poet also uses alliteration. In the seventh line the writer uses consonant l consecutively: long line. Apart from that, the writer also uses assonance. In the eighth line he uses two words with similar vowel sounds: blanched and land. The writer could possibly use this two sound forms to create a rhythmic tone for his work. Apart from that, he could use the two sound forms create emphasis on a particular phrase vital to his theme. In addition, this sound forms also enhance understanding of the poets point of view.
The poet attains rhythm using various stylistically sound devices. He uses rhyme quite often to develop a musical rhythm. This is evident in lines the first, third and seventh lines have rhyming words which are ago, flow and faith. The fourth, sixth and sixteenth lines of the poem have a rhyming word at the end we, sea and world. Through rhyming, the poet manages to make emphasis on various phrases significant to his theme, In addition, he makes more interesting for his audience through the rhythmical flow of his poem.
At their return, up the high strand,
AT/ their, RETURN, /up/ THE/high, STRAND
The first root is stressed to show the specific place the return is. At the highest strand.
Begin, and cease, and then again begin,
BEGIN/ and CEASE,/ and THEN/again BEGIN
The first foot is emphasized compared to the second foot to make the instructions given by the poet clearly understood by the reader. These instructions are specific on beginning, ceasing then beginning once again.
In conclusion, it is evident that Arnold uses various stylistic devices to vividly show his theme. He uses various imagery forms to enable his audience draw a vivid image of his theme. He uses imagery to enable the audience have a broader perceptive of his theme. Apart from that he uses various sound effects to make his work more interesting to read and also have a rhythmical flaw. In addition he uses rhythm to make emphasis on his theme. Therefore, Arnold’s work makes it evident that stylistic devices have a significant impact in showing the writers theme.
