'The Last Word' 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 thy forts of folly fail,
Find thy body by the wall!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "The Last Word" by Matthew Arnold
"The Last Word" is a classic poem by Matthew Arnold that has stood the test of time. The poem is a reflection of the fear of death and the desire to leave a lasting impression on the world. In this interpretation, we will take a closer look at the themes, language, and imagery used in the poem to explore its deeper meaning.
Background Information
Matthew Arnold was born in 1822 in Laleham, England. He was a poet, critic, and a culture critic. Arnold's poetry often reflected his concerns about the state of society during the Victorian era in England. He was known for his use of classical allusions, philosophical ideas, and melancholy tone in his poetry.
"The Last Word" was first published in 1867 in Arnold's collection of poems, "New Poems." The poem has nine stanzas, and each stanza has four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.
Themes
The poem deals with several themes, including death, legacy, and the desire for immortality. The speaker in the poem is facing his own mortality and is anxious about the legacy he will leave behind. He wants to make sure that his last words leave a lasting impression on the world.
The poem also explores the idea of the importance of words. The speaker believes that words have the power to change the world and that his last words must be significant. This idea is reflected in the poem's title, "The Last Word," which suggests that the speaker wants to have the final say in the world.
Another theme in the poem is the fear of death. The speaker is afraid of dying and wants to make sure that he is remembered after he is gone. This fear is common among people, and the poem reflects the human desire for immortality.
Language
The language used in the poem is simple but elegant. The use of metaphors and allusions adds depth to the poem and helps to convey the speaker's emotions. The language is also reflective of the Victorian era, with its formal tone and use of classical references.
The poem begins with a metaphor, "Bury me deep in Love - yes, bury me there!" This line sets the tone for the poem and establishes the speaker's desire to be remembered. The use of the metaphor "bury me deep in Love" suggests that the speaker wants to be remembered for his love and compassion.
The poem also uses allusions to classical literature, such as the reference to "the shades of Hades" in stanza two. This allusion adds depth to the poem and emphasizes the speaker's fear of death.
Imagery
The imagery used in the poem is powerful and helps to convey the speaker's emotions. The poem uses images of death, nature, and darkness to create a sense of foreboding and anxiety.
In stanza three, the speaker says, "Let no bell toll! - lest her sweet soul, Amidst the Sabbath sound, should wrongly be deemed to sleep." This image of a bell tolling for the dead creates a sense of dread and emphasizes the speaker's fear of death.
The poem also uses images of nature, such as the "bright green hill" and "the silver brook," to create a sense of peace and tranquility. These images contrast with the images of death and darkness and help to emphasize the speaker's desire to be remembered for his love and compassion.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted as a reflection of the human desire for immortality. The speaker is afraid of dying and wants to be remembered after he is gone. He believes that his words have the power to change the world and wants to make sure that his last words leave a lasting impression.
The poem also reflects the Victorian era's emphasis on morality and the importance of leaving a legacy. The speaker wants to be remembered for his love and compassion, which are values that were important in Victorian society.
Furthermore, the poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the power of words. The speaker believes that words have the power to change the world and that his last words must be significant. This idea can be seen as a reflection of Arnold's own philosophy, which emphasized the importance of culture and education in shaping society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Last Word" is a classic poem that explores the themes of death, legacy, and the desire for immortality. The language and imagery used in the poem help to convey the speaker's emotions and create a sense of foreboding and anxiety. The poem can be interpreted as a reflection of the human desire for immortality and a commentary on the power of words. Overall, "The Last Word" is a powerful poem that continues to speak to readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Last Word: A Poem of Reflection and Acceptance
Matthew Arnold's poem, The Last Word, is a powerful reflection on the inevitability of death and the acceptance that comes with it. Written in 1867, the poem is a classic example of Arnold's ability to capture the essence of human emotion and experience in his writing.
At its core, The Last Word is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in the face of mortality. The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the inevitability of death, stating that "the end is come, and I have not yet done / All that I wanted to do." This sense of regret and unfulfilled ambition is a common theme in Arnold's work, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the speaker reflects on his life, he begins to see the beauty and value in the world around him. He describes the "golden light" of the setting sun and the "soft, sweet air" of the evening, suggesting that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and joy to be found in the world. This idea is reinforced later in the poem when the speaker describes the "calm, sweet peace" that comes with acceptance of one's fate.
Throughout the poem, Arnold uses vivid imagery and sensory language to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The use of words like "golden," "soft," and "sweet" creates a sense of warmth and comfort, while the repetition of the phrase "the end is come" creates a sense of finality and inevitability.
One of the most striking aspects of The Last Word is its use of repetition and variation. The phrase "the end is come" is repeated several times throughout the poem, each time with a slightly different emphasis or context. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and structure, while also emphasizing the central theme of the poem.
Another notable feature of The Last Word is its use of metaphor and symbolism. The image of the setting sun, for example, is a powerful symbol of the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Similarly, the image of the "calm, sweet peace" that comes with acceptance of one's fate is a metaphor for the emotional and spiritual release that comes with letting go of one's fears and anxieties.
Overall, The Last Word is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of mortality. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, Arnold captures the essence of the human condition and reminds us of the importance of finding meaning and purpose in our lives, even in the face of death. Whether read as a meditation on mortality or simply as a beautiful piece of poetry, The Last Word is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
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