Summary – Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 11, 2025

Summary:

“Dover Beach” is a poem by Matthew Arnold about a man looking at the sea from a window with his loved one. The poem starts with a peaceful and beautiful scene of the sea at night. The waves make a calm and soothing sound. However, the poet then feels sad because he thinks about how the world is losing faith and happiness. He compares this to the waves taking away pebbles from the shore. He remembers how people in the past had strong faith, but now, faith is disappearing like the tide going out.

In the last part of the poem, the poet turns to his loved one and says that even though the world seems dark and full of struggles, they should stay true to each other. He believes that love is the only thing that can bring comfort in a world that feels confused and uncertain.

FactDetails
Poem NameDover Beach
PoetMatthew Arnold
Year Published1867
SettingDover Beach, England (looking at the sea)
ThemeLoss of faith, uncertainty, love, and hope
ToneStarts peaceful, then turns sad and serious
SymbolismThe sea represents faith and change
Famous Lines“The Sea of Faith was once, too, at the full”
MessageThe world may be dark, but love gives strength

MCQs from Some Famous Poems of Matthew Arnold

  1. MCQs Thyrsis by Matthew Arnold
  2. MCQs – Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
  3. MCQs – The Scholar-Gipsy by Matthew Arnold
  4. MCQs – Empedocles on Etna by Matthew Arnold
  5. MCQs – The Forsaken Merman by Matthew Arnold

Summary of Some Famous poems of Matthew Arnold

  1. Summary – Dover Beach 
  2. Summary – The Scholar-Gipsy 
  3. Summary – Thyrsis 
  4. Summary – Empedocles on Etna 
  5. Summary – The Forsaken Merman 

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