'Future , The' 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 roam'd 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.
Border'd 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, statelier 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, may 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
Matthew Arnold's "The Future" - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Matthew Arnold was a prominent English poet and cultural critic of the Victorian era, whose works are known for their intellectual depth and contemplative nature. "The Future" is a poem that belongs to his collection of poems titled "New Poems" (1867), and it expresses the poet's anxieties and fears regarding the future of humanity. In this essay, we shall delve into the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbols, and analyze its meaning and significance.
Themes
The poem deals with several themes that are central to Arnold's worldview and philosophy. One of the primary themes is the sense of despair and disillusionment that Arnold felt regarding the direction that society was heading in. The poem begins with the line "A wanderer is man from his birth," which suggests that humanity is lost and aimless in its journey through life, and that it lacks a clear sense of purpose or direction. This existential theme is further emphasized through the image of the "darkness" that envelops the world, and the "grief" and "confusion" that afflict humanity.
Another theme that is present in the poem is the tension between tradition and modernity. Arnold was a cultural critic who believed that the rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization was eroding the values and traditions of the past, and that this was leading to a moral and spiritual vacuum in society. The poem reflects this tension through the imagery of the "ship" that is "driven" by "storm-winds" and "tossed" by the "waves," which suggests that humanity is at the mercy of powerful forces that it cannot control. This image of the ship can also be seen as a metaphor for the trajectory of human history, which is driven by the forces of progress and change, but is also vulnerable to the destructive power of these same forces.
Imagery and Symbols
Arnold was a master of imagery, and "The Future" is replete with vivid and powerful images that convey the poem's themes and ideas. One of the most striking images in the poem is the image of the "dome of many-coloured glass" that represents the future. This image suggests that the future is a complex and multifaceted entity that is difficult to comprehend, but which is also alluring and enticing in its beauty and complexity. The use of the word "dome" also suggests that the future is something that is elevated and beyond the reach of humanity, which is contrasted with the more grounded and earthy imagery that is present in the rest of the poem.
Another important symbol in the poem is the figure of the "sea." The sea is a powerful and primal force that represents both the potential and the danger of the future. On the one hand, the sea is a source of life and abundance, as well as a symbol of freedom and adventure. On the other hand, the sea is also a source of danger and destruction, as well as a symbol of chaos and unpredictability. The tension between these two aspects of the sea is reflected in the poem's imagery, which portrays the sea as both "glittering" and "mysterious," but also as "dark" and "terrifying."
Analysis
"The Future" is a poem that is steeped in the intellectual and cultural context of the Victorian era. In many ways, it reflects the anxieties and fears that were present in this period of rapid change and upheaval, as well as the sense of disillusionment that many people felt regarding the direction that society was heading in. At the same time, the poem also speaks to timeless and universal themes that are relevant to all human beings, regardless of their historical or cultural context.
One of the key features of the poem is its use of imagery and symbolism to convey its themes and ideas. Arnold was a master of metaphor and symbolism, and his poetry is characterized by its use of vivid and powerful images that draw the reader into a world of complex and challenging ideas. In "The Future," Arnold uses a variety of symbols and images to convey his sense of the ambiguity and complexity of the future, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity that characterized the Victorian era.
Another important aspect of the poem is its tone, which is marked by a sense of despair and disillusionment. Arnold was a cultural critic who was deeply skeptical of the direction that society was heading in, and his poetry reflects this skepticism and cynicism. The poem's opening lines, which describe humanity as a "wanderer" who is lost and aimless in its journey through life, set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is marked by a sense of grief and confusion. At the same time, however, the poem also contains a sense of hope and optimism, which is reflected in its use of imagery and symbolism to convey the potential and beauty of the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Future" is a poem that speaks to the anxieties and fears that were present in the Victorian era, as well as to the timeless and universal themes of human existence. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem conveys a sense of the complexity and ambiguity of the future, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity that characterized the period in which it was written. At the same time, however, the poem also contains a sense of hope and optimism, which suggests that the future is a source of both danger and possibility, and that it is up to humanity to determine which path it will ultimately take.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Future, written by Matthew Arnold, is a classic poem that explores the role of poetry in society and its future. Arnold was a Victorian poet and critic who believed that poetry had the power to elevate and enlighten society. In this poem, he expresses his concerns about the future of poetry and its ability to continue to inspire and educate future generations.
The poem begins with a description of the current state of poetry. Arnold laments that poetry has lost its power and influence in society. He describes it as a "weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable" art form that has lost its ability to inspire and move people. He believes that poetry has become too focused on form and style, and has lost touch with its true purpose.
Arnold then turns his attention to the future of poetry. He expresses his concern that poetry will continue to decline and become irrelevant in society. He believes that the rise of science and technology will further diminish the importance of poetry. He fears that poetry will become a relic of the past, a forgotten art form that has no place in the modern world.
However, Arnold does not give up hope. He believes that poetry still has the power to inspire and educate, and that it can play a vital role in shaping the future of society. He argues that poetry can provide a moral compass for society, guiding people towards a better future. He believes that poetry can help people to understand themselves and the world around them, and can provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Arnold also believes that poetry can help to bridge the gap between different cultures and societies. He argues that poetry is a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by people from all walks of life. He believes that poetry can help to promote understanding and empathy between different groups, and can help to break down barriers and promote peace and harmony.
In the final stanza of the poem, Arnold offers a vision of the future of poetry. He imagines a world where poetry has regained its power and influence in society. He envisions a world where poetry is once again a vital part of the cultural landscape, inspiring and educating people from all walks of life. He believes that poetry can help to create a better world, a world where people are more connected, more empathetic, and more understanding.
In conclusion, Poetry Future is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the role of poetry in society and its future. Arnold's concerns about the decline of poetry are still relevant today, as poetry continues to struggle for relevance in a world dominated by science and technology. However, Arnold's vision of the future of poetry offers hope and inspiration. He reminds us that poetry has the power to inspire, educate, and connect people from all walks of life, and that it can play a vital role in shaping the future of society. As we look to the future, we should remember the words of Matthew Arnold and strive to keep poetry alive and relevant in our world.
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