English 2XL / Shakely / 9.

15

PV Log: (circle one) Poem / Movie / Theater / Lyric / Photo

Date 3/1/16

Title Dover Beach

Author / Director / Poet / Lyricist, etc. (if known) Matthew Arnold

Context (Where Found / Viewed / Read . . . Variety of Sources, please, vis-a-vis Google Images only)

Received from Mr. Shakely as a handout

Content / CD / Summary (Say? Plot? Setting / Situation? Key lines / Phrases, Scenes, etc? )

The poem describes aspects of a peaceful and quiet beach. Arnold continues to describe senses and compares
them to the occurrences of the beach. For instance, Arnold states Heard it on the Aegaean, and it brought /
into his mind the turbid ebb and flow / Of human misery: we / find also in the sound a thought. / Hearing it
by this distant northern sea. (line 16-20). This line compares the abstract characteristic such as misery to the
sound found in the sea.

Content / CM / Meaning? / Theme(s)?

The main theme of this poem is change. Change is necessary in life and is a key component of growth, but
Arnold, the author. sees change as evil. He sees that the change that has happened in this world has caused
people to commit evil acts and to lose faith. For instance, during the second stanza, Arnold states that the new
tide brings sadness in. However, in the last stanza, Arnold expresses that he must cling on to the love and
the faith, while everything around him is falling apart.

Form (Diction? Construction Terms? Symbolism?) This section MUST be filled out for poems taken from the AP Poetry
packet provided prior to first library visit.

The author uses many different metaphors to emphasize the aspects of the poem and the despair of change.
Arnold also uses diction to set a gloomy and but quiet mood.

Commentary: Why like? Poetic Traits? Relevance / Connections / Allusions (Lit, Bib, Myth, Histor, Other) / Relevance
to personal experience, 20Qs? etc.)?

The author talks about how change can impact humans. Arnold believes that change can cause sadness in the
world. However, in the last stanza, I find it poetic how he says that he must cling on to love and faith for the
sake of humanity. I find it poetic how this poem exposes the bad things that happen due to change, yet, it is
still necessary for people to hold on to faith even when everything seems hopeless.

NO DOUBLE-SIDED LOGS