'Last Word, The' by Matthew Arnold
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Creep into thy narrow bed,
Creep, and let no more be said!
Vain thy onset! all stands fast.
Thou thyself must break at last.
Let the long contention cease!
Geese are swans, and swans are geese.
Let them have it how they will!
Thou art tired: best be still.
They out-talked thee, hissed thee, tore thee?
Better men fared thus before thee;
Fired their ringing shot and passed,
Hotly charged - and sank at last.
Charge once more, then, and be dumb!
Let the victors, when they come,
When the forts of folly fall,
Find thy body by the wall!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Last Word, The" by Matthew Arnold: A Deeper Look
When it comes to poetry, one cannot help but marvel at the sheer beauty and power of words. A well-crafted piece of poetry can not only move us emotionally but also make us think deeply about life, love, and the human condition. In the case of "Last Word, The" by Matthew Arnold, we are presented with a poem that is both hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking.
At its core, "Last Word, The" is a poem about the finality of death and the human desire to leave a lasting legacy. The poem is structured as a dialogue between a dying man and his loved ones, who are trying to comfort him in his final moments. The man, however, is not comforted by their words and instead expresses a deep sense of regret at the thought of leaving this world without having achieved anything of lasting significance.
The poem opens with the dying man addressing his loved ones and acknowledging their efforts to comfort him. He then goes on to express his sense of loss and regret at the thought of leaving this world without having left a mark on it. "I am dying, Egypt, dying," he says, "I have not seen the sun for years/ But keep the window open wide/And do not let the curtain hide/The pale grey sky from my dying eyes."
These opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of sadness and loss. The dying man's desire to see the pale grey sky is a metaphor for his desire to see the world and to leave his mark on it. He is not content with simply existing; he wants to make a difference.
As the poem progresses, the dying man becomes more and more desperate in his search for meaning. He asks his loved ones if he has left anything behind, anything that will keep his memory alive. "Have I done something for the world?" he asks. "I know not what it is; pray you/Tell me what I have done, what I have done."
These lines are perhaps the most poignant in the entire poem, as they capture the essence of the human desire to leave a lasting legacy. The dying man is not satisfied with simply having lived; he wants to know that his life has had meaning and significance.
In the final stanza of the poem, the dying man's loved ones try once again to comfort him. They tell him that he has indeed left something behind, something that will keep his memory alive long after he is gone. They tell him that he has left a legacy of love and kindness, that he has touched the lives of those around him in a positive way.
The poem ends with the dying man expressing his gratitude for their kind words. "I thank you," he says, "you, do but jest/Loving me still, despite your jest." This final line is a testament to the power of love and the human desire to be remembered.
In terms of literary devices, "Last Word, The" is rich with imagery and metaphor. The pale grey sky that the dying man longs to see is a metaphor for the world and the desire to leave a mark on it. The dying man's lament that he has not seen the sun for years is a metaphor for the sense of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies the search for meaning.
The poem also makes use of repetition, with the phrase "what I have done" repeated several times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the dying man's sense of regret and his desperate desire to leave a legacy.
At its core, "Last Word, The" is a poem about the human desire to leave a lasting legacy. It is a poignant reflection on the finality of death and the search for meaning in life. It is a reminder that we should strive to make a difference in the world, to touch the lives of those around us in a positive way, and to leave behind a legacy of love and kindness.
In conclusion, "Last Word, The" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the human condition. It is a testament to the power of words and the enduring nature of love. It is a reminder that, despite our inevitable mortality, we can still make a difference in the world and leave behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Last Word, a classic poem written by Matthew Arnold, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This poem is a reflection of the author's thoughts on life and death, and the inevitability of the latter. The Last Word is a poem that is both thought-provoking and inspiring, and it has been the subject of many literary analyses over the years.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, telling her that he has been thinking about the end of his life. He tells her that he wants to have the last word, and that he wants to be remembered for his words. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of life, and how it is fleeting. He talks about the joys of life, such as love and friendship, and how they are all temporary.
The speaker then shifts his focus to death, and how it is the ultimate end of life. He talks about how death is inevitable, and how it is something that we all must face. He tells his beloved that he wants to be remembered for his words, and that he wants to leave a lasting legacy.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker begins to question the meaning of life. He asks if life is just a fleeting moment, or if there is something more to it. He talks about how we all search for meaning in our lives, and how we all want to leave a mark on the world.
The poem then ends with the speaker's final words, as he tells his beloved that he wants to be remembered for his words. He tells her that he wants to leave a legacy, and that he wants to be remembered for the things he said. The poem ends with the speaker's final words, "The last word, dear love, is mine."
The Last Word is a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. It is a reflection of the human condition, and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of the time we have. It is also a reminder that we all want to leave a mark on the world, and that we should strive to do so.
One of the most striking aspects of The Last Word is the way in which Arnold uses language to convey his message. The poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors, which help to bring the poem to life. For example, Arnold describes life as a "fleeting show," which is a powerful metaphor that captures the transience of life.
Another aspect of the poem that is worth noting is the way in which Arnold uses repetition to emphasize his message. The phrase "the last word" is repeated throughout the poem, which helps to reinforce the speaker's desire to be remembered for his words. This repetition also helps to create a sense of urgency, as the speaker knows that his time is running out.
The Last Word is a poem that has been the subject of many literary analyses over the years. One of the most common interpretations of the poem is that it is a reflection of Arnold's own thoughts on life and death. Arnold was known for his melancholic outlook on life, and The Last Word is a reflection of this.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the power of words. The speaker's desire to be remembered for his words is a reminder of the power that words can have. Words can inspire, they can comfort, and they can change the world. The Last Word is a reminder that we should use our words wisely, and that we should strive to leave a positive legacy.
In conclusion, The Last Word is a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. It is a reflection of the human condition, and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of the time we have. It is also a reminder that we all want to leave a mark on the world, and that we should strive to do so. The Last Word is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, and it will continue to inspire and provoke thought for generations to come.
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