'Growing Old' by Matthew Arnold

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What is it to grow old?
Is it to lose the glory of the form,
The lustre of the eye?
Is it for beauty to forego her wreath?
Yes, but not for this alone.

Is it to feel our strength -
Not our bloom only, but our strength -decay?
Is it to feel each limb
Grow stiffer, every function less exact,
Each nerve more weakly strung?

Yes, this, and more! but not,
Ah, 'tis not what in youth we dreamed 'twould be!
'Tis not to have our life
Mellowed and softened as with sunset-glow,
A golden day's decline!

'Tis not to see the world
As from a height, with rapt prophetic eyes,
And heart profoundly stirred;
And weep, and feel the fulness of the past,
The years that are no more!

It is to spend long days
And not once feel that we were ever young.
It is to add, immured
In the hot prison of the present, month
To month with weary pain.

It is to suffer this,
And feel but half, and feebly, what we feel:
Deep in our hidden heart
Festers the dull remembrance of a change,
But no emotion -none.

It is -last stage of all -
When we are frozen up within, and quite
The phantom of ourselves,
To hear the world applaud the hollow ghost
Which blamed the living man.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Growing Old" by Matthew Arnold: A Beautiful Ode to Life's Transience

If there's one thing that's true about life, it's that it's fleeting. And if there's one thing that Matthew Arnold captured beautifully in his poem "Growing Old," it's the bittersweet reality of growing older and watching the world change around us.

From the opening lines, Arnold sets the tone for his contemplative ode:

What is it to grow old? Is it to lose the glory of the form, The lustre of the eye? Is it for beauty to forego her wreath?

Right away, we're confronted with the inevitability of aging and the loss that comes with it. The imagery of losing the "glory of the form" and the "lustre of the eye" is striking – it's as if Arnold is saying that the very essence of who we are fades away as we age.

But as the poem continues, Arnold reminds us that growing old isn't just about loss – it's also about gaining wisdom and perspective:

But not for this Faint I, nor mourn nor murmur; other gifts Have followed, for such loss, I would believe, Abundant recompense.

Here, Arnold acknowledges that while we may lose aspects of our physical selves as we age, we gain other gifts – namely, the ability to see the world in a different light. It's a comforting thought, especially for those of us who may be afraid of growing older.

As the poem progresses, Arnold touches on the themes of memory and nostalgia, both of which become more important as we age:

And feeling in it beat To the common heart of man, as on this day, The first of May, The moving waters at their priestlike task Of pure ablution round earth's human shores, Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask Of snow upon the mountains and the moors –

Arnold's use of sensory language here is exquisite – we can feel the water moving around us, or see the snow falling on the mountains. And yet, there's a sense of distance, too – these moments are fleeting, and are tinged with the knowledge that they'll never come again.

Finally, Arnold ends the poem with a hopeful reminder that even as we grow old and the world changes around us, there's still beauty to be found:

But beauty, grace, and love, and all sweet things, Have something of eternal, – and love most, Though it be ever changing, hath in it Something of the unchangeable.

It's a fitting end to a beautiful poem – even as we grow old and experience loss, there's still something eternal and unchangeable about the world around us.

Overall, "Growing Old" is a masterful exploration of life's transience and the bittersweet beauty that comes with aging. Arnold's use of language is powerful and evocative, and his themes are universal – we can all relate to the fear and hope that come with growing older. If you're looking for a piece of literature that will make you think deeply about life and aging, "Growing Old" is a must-read.

Rhetorical Questions

• What is it about growing old that scares us so much?
• How can we learn to appreciate the gifts that come with aging?
• Is it possible to find beauty and hope in a world that's constantly changing?
• Why is nostalgia such a powerful force in our lives?
• What can we do to embrace the transience of life and find joy in the moments we have?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express various emotions and ideas. One of the most famous poems about poetry is "Growing Old" by Matthew Arnold. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the idea of poetry and its significance in our lives.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his youth and how he used to love poetry. He remembers how he used to read and write poetry with passion and enthusiasm. However, as he grew older, he began to lose interest in poetry, and it no longer held the same appeal for him. The speaker then goes on to question the value of poetry and whether it is still relevant in today's world.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker begins by saying, "What is it to grow old?" This question is a rhetorical one, and it sets the stage for the speaker's reflections on aging and the changes that come with it. The speaker then goes on to describe how he used to love poetry when he was young. He says, "It is to have a common bond of feeling with the young, / To be a party to their starts and pleasures." This line is significant because it highlights the universal appeal of poetry. It is something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and it has the power to connect people across generations.

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on how his love for poetry has changed as he has grown older. He says, "But something ails our highest hopes. / Born in the bright dream of youth, / They wither with the day." This line is a poignant reminder that as we age, our priorities and interests change. What once held great importance to us may no longer be as significant. The speaker then goes on to question whether poetry is still relevant in today's world. He says, "Are they too strong and wise? / The mirth, and passion, and delight, / The glory and the grace?" This line is significant because it highlights the idea that poetry may no longer hold the same appeal for people as it once did. The speaker is questioning whether poetry is still relevant in a world that is increasingly focused on materialism and instant gratification.

In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space. He says, "Still, still, to hear her tender-taken breath, / And so live ever--or else swoon to death." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that poetry has the power to transport us to another time and place. It can evoke emotions and feelings that we may not have experienced before. The speaker is reminding us that poetry is not just a form of entertainment but a powerful tool that can help us connect with our emotions and the world around us.

In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the importance of poetry in our lives. He says, "But oh, more than the rapture of the strife, / More than the laurels of the hero's life, / The heaven of the poet's heart." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that poetry is not just a form of entertainment but a way of life. It is something that can bring us joy and comfort, and it has the power to inspire us to be better people. The speaker is reminding us that poetry is not just a hobby but a way of living.

In conclusion, "Growing Old" by Matthew Arnold is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the idea of poetry and its significance in our lives. The poem highlights the universal appeal of poetry and its ability to connect people across generations. It also reflects on the changes that come with aging and the importance of finding joy and comfort in the things that matter most to us. Overall, "Growing Old" is a timeless piece that reminds us of the power of poetry and its ability to inspire us to be better people.

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