Exploration of Self in Matthew Arnolds The Buried Life Essay -- Arnol

Exploration of Self in Matthew Arnolds The hide LifeOne of the modes of poetry theme and content was that of psychological exploration of self, as characterized by the verse form The Buried Life by Matthew Arnold. Class structure and gender roles were vividly looked at in depth, definitions of masculinity and femininity were earnestly contested throughout the period, with increase sharp assaults on traditional roles... (Longman, p. 1888). What it was to be a man (or woman) was frequently in question, and much of Victorian poetry addressed this.Arnold felt that, literature moldiness directly address the moral needs of readers. (Longman, p. 2017) He felt a need to instruct and educate society to a fuller understanding of its elected goals. The Buried Life can be seen as mans struggle against societys forced class and gender roles.The poem speaks with an I point of view, something that was new for the Victorian era, in time which became an increasing mode throughout poetry. We sle ep together not who the I is in this poem, and I would doubt that it reflects the author himself.The character of this poem, right from the counterbalance feels a melancholy that comes from the inner struggle amidst what society depicts as should and what a person really feels, I feel a nameless sadness oer me roll,/ yes, yes, we know that we can jest,/ we know we, we know that we can smile/ But theres a something in this breast/ to which thy light words bring no rest. (3-7) There is the beginning sense here that he is starting to see conflict within himself, first characterized by his emotions.In the second stanza of the poem, nearly all the lines reflect the characters judgement of powerlessness to put a voice to this inner struggle, to be... ...coolness play upon his face,/ and an unwonted calm pervades his breast. (94-95)Freudian theory would call this poem a conflict between the pleasure principle craves only pleasures...ignoring moral and sexual boundaries established by society and the reality principle that part of the psyche that recognizes the need for societal standards and regulations. (Bressler, p. 180) The Buried Life adequately portrays this inner struggle between the self and society, between was is felt and what is acceptable. I believe that is what Arnold was attempting, to enlighten his readers of this inner struggle and sense of self in a time when strong moral character was being questioned.WORDS CITED1. Bressler, Charles. Literary Criticism. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, C. 19992. Longman Anthology of British Literature. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, C. 2000.