'Longing' by Matthew Arnold


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Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day.

Come, as thou cam'st a thousand times,
A messenger from radiant climes,
And smile on thy new world, and be
As kind to others as to me!

Or, as thou never cam'st in sooth,
Come now, and let me dream it truth,
And part my hair, and kiss my brow,
And say, My love why sufferest thou?

Come to me in my dreams, and then
By day I shall be well again!
For so the night will more than pay
The hopeless longing of the day.


Submitted by Venus

Editor 1 Interpretation

Longing: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow! What a poem! Matthew Arnold surely knew how to capture the heart of a person with his words. Longing is a classic poem that has been admired and studied for years. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at Longing, its themes, literary devices, and the impact it has had on readers.

Background and Context

Longing was written by Matthew Arnold, a British poet, and cultural critic, in 1852. Arnold is known for his poetry, essays, and commentaries on social and religious issues. Longing is part of Arnold's larger collection of poems, titled Empedocles on Etna and Other Poems.

Arnold wrote Longing during the Romantic period, a time when emotions, nature, and individualism were celebrated. The poem reflects Romanticism's focus on the individual's inner world, their emotions, and the beauty of nature.

Themes

Longing is a poem about the yearning for a lost love. The speaker, who is not explicitly named, longs for a woman who has left him. The poem's themes include love, loss, memory, and nature.

Love is a predominant theme in Longing. The speaker's love for the woman is evident throughout the poem. He describes her as "fair," "dear," and "beloved." The poem portrays love as a powerful force that can consume a person's thoughts and emotions.

Loss is another theme in Longing. The speaker has lost the woman he loves, and this loss has left him feeling empty and longing. The poem explores the pain of loss and the emptiness it can leave behind.

Memory is also an essential theme in Longing. The speaker remembers the woman and their moments together. Memory serves as a way to keep the woman and their love alive, even though she is no longer with him.

Nature is a recurring theme in Longing. The speaker uses the natural world to express his emotions. The "starlit sky," "the fragrant air," and "the quiet fields" are all used to convey the speaker's longing and sorrow.

Literary Devices

Arnold uses several literary devices to convey the themes of Longing.

Imagery is a powerful device used in Longing. The speaker's descriptions of nature and the woman he loves paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The "starlit sky" and "fragrant air" evoke a sense of beauty, while the "cold wind" and "sorrowing rain" create a sense of sadness.

Metaphors and similes are also used in Longing. The speaker compares the woman to a "star," a "flower," and a "dream." These comparisons help to emphasize the woman's beauty and the speaker's longing for her.

Personification is another literary device used in Longing. The speaker personifies the natural world, describing the wind and rain as "sorrowing." This personification helps to convey the speaker's emotions and creates a sense of empathy in the reader.

Interpretation

Longing is a poem that speaks to the human experience of love and loss. The speaker's longing for the woman he loves is relatable, and the poem's themes of love, loss, memory, and nature are universal.

The use of imagery, metaphors, and personification in Longing creates a powerful emotional impact on the reader. The vivid descriptions of nature and the woman he loves help to convey the speaker's emotions and create a sense of empathy in the reader. The poem's use of natural imagery also serves to reinforce the idea that love is a natural force that is part of the human experience.

Longing is a prime example of the Romantic period's focus on the individual's inner world and emotions. The poem's exploration of love and loss emphasizes the importance of emotional connections and the impact they can have on a person's life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Longing is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes of love, loss, memory, and nature continue to resonate with readers today. Arnold's use of literary devices such as imagery, metaphors, and personification create a powerful emotional impact on the reader. Longing is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience and the emotions that come with it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Longing: A Poem of Yearning and Despair

Matthew Arnold's poem "Longing" is a powerful expression of the human experience of longing and despair. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Arnold captures the essence of the human condition, the longing for something more, and the despair that comes when that longing is unfulfilled. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of "Longing" and examine how they contribute to the poem's emotional impact.

The poem begins with a description of a "darkling plain," a desolate landscape that stretches out before the speaker. This image sets the tone for the poem, conveying a sense of emptiness and despair. The speaker then describes a "sea of troubles," a metaphor for the difficulties and challenges that life presents. This image is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker is not only facing personal struggles but is also aware of the larger problems of the world.

The theme of longing is introduced in the second stanza, as the speaker describes a "longing for the deeps of the sky." This longing is not just for the physical sky but for something greater, something beyond the mundane world. The speaker longs for a sense of transcendence, a connection to something greater than themselves. This theme of longing is central to the poem and is explored in greater depth throughout.

The third stanza introduces the image of the "wandering star," a symbol of the speaker's own sense of aimlessness and uncertainty. The star is described as "lost" and "lonely," suggesting that the speaker feels similarly lost and alone in the world. This image is particularly effective because it conveys a sense of isolation and despair that is universal to the human experience.

The fourth stanza introduces the theme of time, as the speaker reflects on the passing of the seasons and the inevitability of change. The image of the "frosty night" suggests a sense of coldness and isolation, while the "dying year" represents the passing of time and the inevitability of death. This theme of time is important because it reinforces the idea that the speaker's longing is not just for something in the present but for something eternal and unchanging.

The fifth stanza introduces the image of the "distant shore," a symbol of the speaker's longing for a place beyond the physical world. This image is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker is not just longing for something in the present but for something that transcends time and space. The image of the "distant shore" also suggests that the speaker is aware of their own mortality and is longing for a sense of immortality or transcendence.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker reflects on the futility of their longing. The image of the "silent sea" suggests a sense of finality and closure, while the repetition of the word "longing" reinforces the idea that the speaker's desire is unfulfilled. The final lines of the poem, "Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns / The earliest pipe of half-awakened birds / To dying ears, when unto dying eyes / The casement slowly grows a glimmering square," suggest that the speaker is resigned to their fate and that their longing will remain unfulfilled.

In terms of language, Arnold's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the themes of the poem. The images of the "darkling plain," the "sea of troubles," and the "distant shore" are all powerful symbols that convey a sense of despair and longing. Arnold's use of metaphor is also effective, particularly in the image of the "wandering star," which conveys a sense of aimlessness and uncertainty.

Arnold's use of language is also notable for its musicality and rhythm. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a meter that is often associated with the sonnet form. This gives the poem a sense of structure and formality that is appropriate for its themes of longing and despair. The use of alliteration and assonance also adds to the musicality of the poem, creating a sense of unity and coherence.

In conclusion, "Longing" is a powerful expression of the human experience of longing and despair. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Arnold captures the essence of the human condition, the longing for something more, and the despair that comes when that longing is unfulfilled. The poem's themes of longing, time, and transcendence are explored in depth, while its use of imagery and language is particularly effective in conveying the emotional impact of the poem. Overall, "Longing" is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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