'The Future' by Matthew Arnold
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A wanderer is man from his birth.
He was born in a ship
On the breast of the river of Time;
Brimming with wonder and joy
He spreads out his arms to the light,
Rivets his gaze on the banks of the stream.
As what he sees is, so have his thoughts been.
Whether he wakes,
Where the snowy mountainous pass,
Echoing the screams of the eagles,
Hems in its gorges the bed
Of the new-born clear-flowing stream;
Whether he first sees light
Where the river in gleaming rings
Sluggishly winds through the plain;
Whether in sound of the swallowing sea—
As is the world on the banks,
So is the mind of the man.
Vainly does each, as he glides,
Fable and dream
Of the lands which the river of Time
Had left ere he woke on its breast,
Or shall reach when his eyes have been closed.
Only the tract where he sails
He wots of; only the thoughts,
Raised by the objects he passes, are his.
Who can see the green earth any more
As she was by the sources of Time?
Who imagines her fields as they lay
In the sunshine, unworn by the plough?
Who thinks as they thought,
The tribes who then roamed on her breast,
Her vigorous, primitive sons?
What girl
Now reads in her bosom as clear
As Rebekah read, when she sate
At eve by the palm-shaded well?
Who guards in her breast
As deep, as pellucid a spring
Of feeling, as tranquil, as sure?
What bard,
At the height of his vision, can deem
Of God, of the world, of the soul,
With a plainness as near,
As flashing as Moses felt
When he lay in the night by his flock
On the starlit Arabian waste?
Can rise and obey
The beck of the Spirit like him?
This tract which the river of Time
Now flows through with us, is the plain.
Gone is the calm of its earlier shore.
Bordered by cities and hoarse
With a thousand cries is its stream.
And we on its breast, our minds
Are confused as the cries which we hear,
Changing and shot as the sights which we see.
And we say that repose has fled
For ever the course of the river of Time.
That cities will crowd to its edge
In a blacker, incessanter line;
That the din will be more on its banks,
Denser the trade on its stream,
Flatter the plain where it flows,
Fiercer the sun overhead;
That never will those on its breast
See an ennobling sight,
Drink of the feeling of quiet again.
But what was before us we know not,
And we know not what shall succeed.
Haply, the river of Time—
As it grows, as the towns on its marge
Fling their wavering lights
On a wider, statlier stream—
May acquire, if not the calm
Of its early mountainous shore,
Yet a solemn peace of its own.
And the width of the waters, the hush
Of the grey expanse where he floats,
Freshening its current and spotted with foam
As it draws to the Ocean, amy strike
Peace to the soul of the man on its breast—
As the pale waste widens around him,
As the banks fade dimmer away,
As the stars come out, and the night-wind
Brings up the stream
Murmurs and scents of the infinite sea.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Future: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow! What a poem! Matthew Arnold's "The Future" is one of those works that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The poem is a masterpiece of Victorian literature that raises numerous questions about human nature, the role of religion in society, and the meaning of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbolism, and structure of the poem to better understand its significance.
Historical Context
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a brief look at the historical context of the poem. Arnold wrote "The Future" in the mid-19th century, a time of great social, political, and economic change in England. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and the country was experiencing rapid urbanization and modernization. The Victorian era was also marked by a renewed interest in spirituality and religion, as well as a growing sense of doubt and uncertainty about the future.
Arnold was a prominent figure in Victorian literature and a critic of the social and political issues of his time. His poetry often reflects his concern for the spiritual and moral decline of society and his belief in the importance of culture and education. In "The Future," Arnold explores these themes in a powerful and evocative way.
Themes
One of the major themes of "The Future" is the tension between faith and doubt. The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the past and the "old, unhappy, far-off things" that have shaped human history. He then turns his attention to the future and wonders what lies ahead. The speaker is torn between hope and despair, faith and doubt, as he looks towards the uncertain future.
Another important theme in the poem is the role of religion in society. Arnold was a religious skeptic and criticized the narrow-mindedness and dogmatism of organized religion. In "The Future," the speaker questions the value of faith in the face of the unknown. He wonders whether religion can provide the answers to the mysteries of life and death.
The poem also deals with the idea of progress and the fear of change. The speaker is acutely aware of the rapid changes taking place in society and wonders whether they are leading to a better future or a worse one. He questions the idea of progress and wonders if it is possible to create a more just and equitable society.
Symbolism
Arnold makes use of powerful and evocative imagery in "The Future" to convey his themes. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is that of the sea. The speaker describes the sea as "dark" and "vast," representing the unknown and the uncertainty of the future. The sea is also a symbol of the divine, as the speaker wonders whether there is a "Spirit" that can guide humanity through the uncharted waters of the future.
Another important symbol in the poem is that of the "clouds." The speaker describes the clouds as "weird" and "fantastic," representing the unknown and the mysterious. The clouds are also a symbol of change and transformation, as they shift and change shape with the wind.
Structure
The structure of "The Future" is simple and elegant, with four stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in a regular meter and rhyme scheme, giving it a musical quality that adds to its power and beauty. The simplicity of the structure allows the language and imagery of the poem to shine through, creating a sense of depth and complexity.
The poem is also notable for its use of repetition and parallelism. The opening line of each stanza begins with the words "But now," creating a sense of continuity and progression. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the speaker's sense of unease and uncertainty, as he struggles to come to terms with the unknown future.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? What is Arnold trying to tell us with "The Future"? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human condition and our place in the world. It is a reflection on the past, present, and future, and the challenges we face as we navigate the uncertain waters of life.
The tension between faith and doubt is a central theme of the poem. The speaker is torn between hope and despair, wondering whether there is any meaning or purpose to life. He questions the value of religion in the face of the unknown, wondering whether it can provide the answers he seeks.
The sea and the clouds are powerful symbols in the poem, representing the unknown and the mysterious. They are also symbols of change and transformation, reflecting the rapid changes taking place in society during the Victorian era. The speaker is acutely aware of the challenges of progress and the fear of change, wondering whether the future will be better or worse than the past.
Ultimately, "The Future" is a deeply personal and philosophical poem that raises profound questions about the nature of existence. It is a work of great beauty and complexity that rewards careful reading and interpretation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Matthew Arnold's "The Future" is a masterpiece of Victorian literature that explores the tension between faith and doubt, the role of religion in society, and the challenges of progress and change. The poem is a meditation on the human condition and our place in the world, and it raises profound questions about the meaning of life. Through its powerful imagery and elegant structure, "The Future" continues to captivate readers and inspire critical interpretation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Future: A Poem of Hope and Despair
Matthew Arnold's "The Future" is a classic poem that explores the themes of hope and despair, and the human struggle to find meaning in a world that seems to be constantly changing. Written in the mid-19th century, the poem is a reflection of the social and political upheavals of the time, and the anxieties that people felt about the future.
The poem begins with a description of the world as it is, with its "darkness and confusion" and its "wild unrest." Arnold paints a picture of a world that is in turmoil, where people are struggling to find their place and make sense of their lives. He describes the "fierce light" of the present, which seems to blind people to the possibilities of the future.
But despite this bleak picture, Arnold holds out hope for the future. He sees a time when the darkness will be lifted, and the confusion and unrest will be replaced by a sense of purpose and direction. He speaks of a "new age" that is coming, a time when people will be able to see beyond the present and envision a better future.
Arnold's vision of the future is not one of utopia, however. He recognizes that there will still be struggles and challenges, and that progress will not come easily. He speaks of the "long, long climb" that lies ahead, and the need for people to be patient and persistent in their efforts to create a better world.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of progress. Arnold sees progress as a gradual process, one that requires hard work and dedication. He speaks of the "slow, sure march of the ages," and the need for people to be willing to work towards a better future, even if they may not live to see the fruits of their labor.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of faith. Arnold sees faith as a necessary component of progress, a belief in something greater than oneself that can inspire people to work towards a better future. He speaks of the "faith that looks through death," and the need for people to have a sense of purpose and meaning that goes beyond their own individual lives.
Overall, "The Future" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the human condition and our constant struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can often seem chaotic and confusing. Arnold's vision of the future is one of hope and optimism, but it is also tempered by a recognition of the challenges that lie ahead. Ultimately, the poem is a call to action, a reminder that progress is possible, but only if we are willing to work towards it with faith and perseverance.
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