Matthew Arnold’s Elegy on Wordsworth
The elegy was written after the death of William Wordsworth in 1850, marking the end of the Romantic era, as Wordsworth was the last of the great Romantic poets. Matthew Arnold, who held Wordsworth’s poetry in high regard, uses the poem to honor Wordsworth’s legacy.
Comparison with European Romantic Figures:
Arnold places Wordsworth within a broader European literary context by comparing him to two other prominent Romantic figures—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Lord Byron.
iLord Byron: Arnold suggests that Byron’s influence was mainly emotional. Byron’s poetry allowed readers to connect with the struggle between societal norms and personal passions, though Arnold believes that Byron ultimately “taught us little.”
ii Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Unlike Byron, Goethe is portrayed as a wise figure, a “physician of the iron age,” who analyzed Europe’s social issues and challenges with insight and depth.
Wordsworth’s Unique Role and Influence:
Arnold presents Wordsworth as the finest poet among these figures, superior in his role as a healer and emotional guide. He suggests that Wordsworth, like a modern Orpheus, brought people closer to nature, helping to “revive spirits dried up and closely furled.” Wordsworth’s poetry restored emotional depth and connection in an era Arnold describes as an “iron time.”
Wordsworth’s Enduring Legacy: Arnold expresses doubt that another poet will emerge with Wordsworth’s unique ability to inspire profound emotional response, asking, “Who will make us feel?” He implies that while future poets may teach resilience, none will offer the emotional solace Wordsworth provided.
Important Lines
1. “The last poetic voice is dumb— / We stand to-day by Wordsworth’s tomb.”
Hindi: “अंतिम काव्यिक आवाज़ मौन है — / आज हम वर्ड्सवर्थ की कब्र के पास खड़े हैं।”
Explanation: Arnold laments the loss of Wordsworth, suggesting the end of an era with his death.
2. “He taught us little; but our soul / Had felt him like the thunder’s roll.”
Hindi: “उन्होंने हमें बहुत कम सिखाया; लेकिन हमारी आत्मा ने उन्हें गरज की तरह महसूस किया।”
Explanation: Arnold acknowledges Byron’s impact as emotional and powerful, even though it may not have taught deep lessons.
3. “Physician of the iron age, / Goethe has done his pilgrimage.”
Hindi: “लोहे के युग के चिकित्सक, / गेटे ने अपनी यात्रा पूरी कर ली है।”
Explanation: Arnold refers to Goethe as a wise healer for Europe, acknowledging his philosophical contributions.
4. “Wordsworth has gone from us—and ye, / Ah, may ye feel his voice as we!”
Hindi: “वर्ड्सवर्थ हमसे चले गए हैं — और तुम, / आह, क्या तुम भी उनकी आवाज़ को महसूस कर सकोगे जैसे हमने की?”
Explanation: Arnold hopes that future generations feel Wordsworth’s influence as deeply as his own generation.
5. “He found us when the age had bound / Our souls in its benumbing round; / He spoke, and loosed our hearts in tears.”
Hindi: “उन्होंने हमें उस युग में पाया जब हमारी आत्माएँ जम चुकी थीं; / उन्होंने बोला, और हमारे दिल आँसुओं में खुल गए।”
Explanation: Arnold highlights Wordsworth’s unique ability to awaken people emotionally and spiritually.
6. “The freshness of the early world.”
Hindi: “प्रारंभिक विश्व की ताजगी।”
Explanation: Wordsworth’s poetry, according to Arnold, brings back the purity and freshness of early human experiences.
7. “Others will teach us how to dare, / And against fear our breast to steel; / But who, ah! who, will make us feel?”
Hindi: “अन्य हमें साहस करना सिखाएंगे, / और भय के खिलाफ हमारी छाती को सख्त करेंगे; / परंतु कौन, आह! कौन हमें महसूस कराएगा?”
Explanation: Arnold believes other poets may inspire courage, but Wordsworth’s emotional influence is unique and irreplaceable.
8. “Keep fresh the grass upon his grave, / O Rotha, with thy living wave!”
Hindi: “उनकी कब्र पर घास को हरा बनाए रखो, / हे रोथा, अपनी जीवित लहरों से!”
Explanation: Arnold appeals to the River Rotha to keep Wordsworth’s memory alive by maintaining the greenery around his grave.