Dover beach summary pdf

Dover beach theme pdf

This technique creates a sense of movement and fluidity, mimicking the ceaseless motion of the sea. The speaker, who is standing with his lover at night, describes the calmness of the sea and the moonlit landscape. As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the decline of faith and the erosion of traditional beliefs in the modern world.

He compares the loss of faith to the retreating tide and the fading light of the moon. It represents the vastness and unpredictability of life, as well as the constant change and uncertainty that humanity must confront. However, this tranquility is contrasted with the idea that the sea of faith is retreating, leaving behind a sense of emptiness and despair.

The beach, on the other hand, symbolizes the boundary between the known and the unknown. It is a liminal space where the speaker and his lover stand, contemplating the mysteries of life. The beach also represents the transitory nature of existence, as the waves wash away footprints and leave no trace of human presence. Arnold employs the symbolism of the moon and the night to convey a sense of melancholy and uncertainty.

The moon, a traditional symbol of beauty and enlightenment, becomes a metaphor for the fading faith and the loss of traditional beliefs. The night, with its darkness and obscurity, represents the unknown and the absence of guidance. It represents a world devoid of illumination, where humanity is left without a sense of purpose or direction.

The speaker laments the loss of faith and the resulting moral uncertainty. The poem serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the importance of faith and the consequences of its loss.