East London

Author: Matthew Arnold

Twas August, and the fierce sun overhead
Smote on the squalid streets of Bethnal Green,
And the pale weaver, through his windows seen
In Spitalfields, looked thrice dispirited.
I met a preacher there I knew, and said:
Ill and oerworked, how fare you in this scene?,
Bravely! said he; for I of late have been
Much cheered with thoughts of Christ, the living bread.
O human soul! as long as thou canst so
Set up a mark of everlasting light,
Above the howling senses ebb and flow,
To cheer thee, and to right thee if thou roam,
Not with lost toil thou labourest through the night!
Thou makst the heaven thou hopst indeed thy home.
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem beautifully explores themes of hardship, resilience, and spiritual solace amidst adversity. The setting, Bethnal Green and Spitalfields, is bleak - a stark depiction of urban life under the fierce August sun. The squalid streets and the pale, overworked weaver paint a picture of despair and struggle. The tone is somber and reflective, creating a vivid contrast between the harsh physical reality and the spiritual comfort found in faith.

The structure is consistent, with rhyming couplets that lend a rhythmic quality to the narrative. The language is evocative, with the 'fierce sun' and 'howling senses' serving as powerful metaphors for external and internal struggles. The use of dialogue is also notable, as it introduces an element of personal connection and shared experience.

The preacher's response to the speaker's inquiry provides the turning point, shifting the tone from despair to hope. The idea of 'Christ, the living bread' offers solace and resilience, a beacon of 'everlasting light' in the midst of hardship. This spiritual theme is further emphasized by the final lines, where the human soul is encouraged to strive and labor, not in vain, but with the hope of making 'the heaven thou hopst indeed thy home'. This underscores the poem's ultimate message: that faith can offer strength, guidance, and hope, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.