Dover Beach is replete with questions the age had been grappling with- questions on religion, morality, faith, doubt and knowledge among others. The poem was written when Arnold was on honeymoon with his newly wedded bride. The novel The Robber Bride, by Margaret Atwood and the poem Dover Beach, by Matthew Arnold both surround the central theme of loss of faith. But now I only hear The poet’s speaker , considered to be Matthew Arnold himself, begins by describing a … “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold is dramatic monologue lamenting the loss of true Christian faith in England during the mid 1800’s as science captured the minds of the public. He was a poet, a scholar, a critic, and one … Tiles helpless and lacking certainty of faith exposes the sorrows of the people the loss of faith support and certainty of faith Pairs Upon the straits; on the French coast, the light Gleams and is gone; Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore This much anthalogized poem by Matthew Arnold has been considered one of the representative poems to capture the mood of the Victorian Age. The theme of loss of faith is prevalent amidst many writings. Matthew Arnold was a pretty serious dude. Dover Beach Introduction. Dover Beach represents the Victorian era so perfectly, because Arnold doesn't ground himself or have a specific focus. The poem Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold, published in 1867, and the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, published in 1953, are interconnected. The poem begins with the calm, pleasant and soothing description of Dover beach. He believed in the Power and Beauty of Art with a capital P, and was all about the value of really understanding the past and the great tradition of literature. Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled. Learn and understand all of the themes found in Dover Beach, such as Love. Instead it suffers struggle, confusion, and the clashing of violent armies. Universal problems that Victorians experienced at the time are made present, such as a loss of faith. Major Themes in Matthew Arnold's Dover Beach. Now Arnold hears the sound of this Dover Beach, and he finds in it the same thought. Which themes match the given lines from the poem "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold? He seems lost and lonely, making no mention of another human being by him. "Dover Beach" is a lyric poem by the English poet Matthew Arnold. Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear. In this excerpt from "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold, which two lines or sets of lines suggest that the speaker has undergone a loss of faith? But now I only hear. The Sea of Faith. Arnold creates the image of the dark future for the people without firm faith or religion. The Sea of Faith Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled. eNotes critical analyses help you gain a deeper understanding of Dover Beach so you can excel on your essay or test. It was first published in 1867 in the collection New Poems, but surviving notes indicate its composition may have begun as early as 1849.The most likely date is 1851.