Dover Beach - Poetic Criticism

Topic # 3: Topic of my Choice; Poetry and Poet Criticism

When literary works are written and published, many people read them and establish opinions in regards to the content of the poem. In addition, many poets in general receive criticisms overall because many of their works contain the same message. Matthew Arnold, the poet of Dover Beach received many criticisms for his poetical publications. Although some of these are negative, a lot of criticisms can be constructive and positive. For example, many people criticized Arnold for various different reasons and approaches. He was criticized for his literary devices, his approach on religion, and social criticism. Also, even though other people can criticize the work, the message that lies within the poem is a criticism in itself. Arnold was not only criticized for the content in his poems, but he himself criticized many different things including religion and social concerns.                   

Arnold was known to associate somewhat with a more pragmatic view on religion and chose not to completely believe in the supernatural realm of religion. He thought of God and people’s claims to have conversation with God as a sort of matter of fact type of religion, similar to that of the Greek gods. Arnold even criticized religion to the point of religion as, “morality touched with emotion.” However it was interesting to notice that in his poem Dover Beach, he seemed to criticize the world for a loss of religion and moral values. After reading the poem Dover Beach, one could possibly assume that Arnold held firm to his religious beliefs, but interestingly enough he criticized many ideas associated with religion. In addition, Arnold criticized certain aspects of journalism in some of his works. He supported some types of journalism in newspapers and articles, yet he was very against the term “muck-raking.” He did not like how journalism often time was used as propaganda and actually stirred up and made the truth less clear and ambiguous. He was a poet that was not very keen on ambiguity and stood firm with solid truths and reality.

            Overall, Arnold had many strong and fervent beliefs that allowed for his poetry to be laced with underlying messages about politics, religion and social issues. Many of these issues that he slyly addressed were later criticized by future poets, religious leaders and social reformers. However, although he strongly held his beliefs, he acclaimed his fame and his approval by many people throughout the last few hundred years.