what's the significance of the poet's structure and style choice in the poem Dover Beach?

To understand the significance of the poet's structure and style choice in the poem "Dover Beach," we'll first analyze the poem and then discuss the broader context.

"Dover Beach" is a well-known lyric poem written by Matthew Arnold during the Victorian era. The poem reflects Arnold's contemplation on the decline of faith and the erosion of traditional values in the face of an increasingly secular and industrialized world. The structure and style of the poem contribute to its overall theme and message.

1. Structure:
The poem consists of four stanzas, each composed of a varying number of lines. The first stanza has a strong and stable structure, adhering to a consistent rhyme scheme (ABACADAE). However, as the poem progresses, the structure becomes more irregular, resembling the tumultuous waves of Dover Beach. This deviation from a fixed structure mirrors the disarray and uncertainty felt by the speaker as he confronts the existential questions the poem explores.

2. Style:
Arnold's style in "Dover Beach" is characterized by its melancholic tone and introspective nature. The poet employs vivid imagery and sensory details to create a specific atmosphere. For instance, he describes the "grating roar" of the pebbles and the "eternal note of sadness" in the sound of the sea. By using such imagery, Arnold captures the transient nature of human existence and the contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the disillusionment of the speaker.

Additionally, the choice of language and diction in the poem contributes to its overarching theme. Arnold employs a metaphorical language to convey the internal struggle of the speaker, who grapples with the shifting tides of faith and the loss of certainty. He juxtaposes elements of light and darkness, certitude and doubt, to explore the conflicts between science and religion, and between the desire for stability and the reality of uncertainty.

In sum, the structure and style of "Dover Beach" serve to enhance the poem's exploration of existential themes. The evolving structure reflects the speaker's wavering faith and uncertainty, while the vivid imagery and metaphorical language evoke a sense of melancholy and introspection. Through these stylistic choices, Arnold beautifully captures the essence of his concerns and provides insight into the underlying message of the poem.