Irony can be a powerful instrument for a poet aiming to reflect on the current state of humankind. Although some of the most notable poems were written more than two centuries ago, the poets’ deep understanding of culture remains highly insightful. The movement from religion to science always has concerned writers and poets, who discussed the consequences of abandoning the faith. Ironically, the described ramifications can be sighted in modern-day reality, where technology has replaced religion. The poems Dover Beach and The Darkling Thrush are excellent examples of works that use literary devices to demonstrate humanity’s loss of faithfulness and spirituality, which can be observed in contemporary mankind.
Loss of faith following numerous scientific advancements is the core topic of Dover Beach, a poem written by Matthew Arnold. While describing the sea and its calm movement, the narrator reflects on the changes occurring in the Victorian era. Potentially these transformations will lead to humankind abandoning the faith. As such, Arnold argues that religion was very prosperous in the previous ages, but it declined due to the rise of academic thought. This tendency is expressed in the words, “Sea of Faith was once, too, at the full” (Arnold, 1970, lines 21-22). However, the waves return to the sea: “Retreating to the breath of the night wind” (Arnold, 1970, lines 26-27).
Using this metaphor, Arnold illustrates that the world’s interest in Christianity has begun to fade. The poet alludes to the years when the majority of humanity was highly religious and spiritual. The author further continues this idea, explaining that the future bears “Confused alarms of struggle and flight” (Arnold, 1970, line 36). Arnold proposes that the lack of faithfulness will lead to confusion and ignorance. Ironically, the poet also notes that the decline of spirituality is inevitable.
The words “Begin, and cease, and then again begin” suggest the continuous flow of history (Arnold, 1970, line 12). Therefore, mankind will always return to faith and abandon it, continuing a long-term cycle. Indeed, in contemporary times religion occupies only a small fraction of humankind’s lives. While spirituality is slowly becoming obsolete, technology remains highly prominent.
Similarly, the prediction that Christianity’s recognition is dying can be found in The Darkling Thrush. The poem was written by Thomas Hardy, and it focuses on dark and isolated scenery. By describing a desolate landscape, the author alludes to the decline of Victorian culture. However, in this poem, religion’s role is presented differently than in Dover Beach. Hardy views spirituality as a solution to cultural desolation, introducing a singing thrush. The bird indulges “In a full-hearted evensong of joy illimited” (Hardy, 1985, lines 19-20). This activity is contrasted with the bleak, hopeless environment of the real world.
For the author, the image of a happily singing thrush brings enjoyment. Furthermore, Hardy demonstrates the significance of the bird’s happiness, proposing that it possesses hidden knowledge. The lines “There trembled through some blessed Hope, whereof he knew” perfectly illustrate this idea (Hardy, 1985, line 31). The thrush represents the power of religious faith and its capacity to reverse the cultural decline. Nevertheless, this image is ironic, as there was “So little cause for carolings of such ecstatic sound” (Hardy, 1985, lines 25-26). Such a depiction is a precise account of the current state of humanity. In the modern-day environment, religion continues to decline, losing its previous popularity. Although spirituality could improve mankind’s cultural level and prevent desolation, it is still regarded as unfavorable.
The use of metaphors, similes, and irony in Dover Beach and The Darkling Thrush further supports the main ideas of the poems. In Dover Beach, the sea depicts history’s cyclic nature, leading to the ironic impossibility of reversing the religion’s fall. The author also compares the sea, a metaphor for faith, to “The folds of a bright girdle furled” (Arnold, 1970, line 23). The literary devices are also used in The Darkling Thrush, where the bird represents hope and religion while remaining ironically unaware of its reality. After that, Hardy compares the spirits of the world and himself, stating that both were fervourless.
References
Arnold, M. (1970). Dover Beach. Merrill.
Hardy, T. (1985). The Darkling Thrush, and other poems. Salem House Pub.