"The Scholar Gypsy" is a poem written by the English poet and critic Matthew Arnold. It was first published in 1853 as part of a collection of Arnold's poems called "Empedocles on Etna, and Other Poems."

The poem is based on a legend from English folklore about a scholar who abandoned his studies to become a wandering gypsy. Arnold heard the story from his friend, the poet Arthur Hugh Clough, and was inspired to write the poem as a way of exploring themes of intellectual curiosity and the tension between tradition and modernity.

Arnold's interest in the scholar gypsy was also influenced by his own experiences as a student at Oxford University. He was fascinated by the idea of a scholar who rejected the conventional path of academia to pursue a more unconventional life.

Critical appreciation of the poem

"The Scholar Gypsy" by Matthew Arnold is widely regarded as one of his greatest poems, and a masterpiece of English literature. The poem is appreciated for its beauty of language, its evocative imagery, and its exploration of complex themes related to human nature, the pursuit of knowledge, and the search for meaning.

One of the key strengths of the poem is its ability to capture the spirit of wanderlust and intellectual curiosity that characterized the Romantic era of English literature. Arnold uses vivid descriptions of the English countryside to evoke a sense of longing for adventure and exploration, and his depiction of the scholar gypsy as a figure of mystery and fascination reflects the Romantic ideal of the unconventional and the exotic.

In addition to its aesthetic qualities, "The Scholar Gypsy" is also valued for its exploration of themes related to human nature and the search for meaning. The poem reflects Arnold's belief that human beings are inherently driven to seek knowledge and understanding, and that this quest is a key part of what it means to be human. At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the complexities and contradictions of human behavior, and the tension between tradition and modernity that has shaped the course of human history.

Overall, "The Scholar Gypsy" is a complex and multi-layered poem that rewards careful study and analysis. Its combination of beauty and depth, along with its timeless themes and its connection to the broader cultural and literary context of its time, make it a significant contribution to the canon of English literature.

Themes of the poem

In addition to the themes of intellectual curiosity and the search for meaning, "The Scholar Gypsy" also explores several other important themes that are relevant to the human experience. Here are a few more:

Nature: Throughout the poem, Arnold uses vivid descriptions of the English countryside to evoke a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world. The scholar gypsy is portrayed as a figure who is in tune with the rhythms of nature, and who finds solace and inspiration in the beauty of the landscape around him. This theme reflects the Romantic ideal of the natural world as a source of spiritual renewal and creative inspiration.

Time and change: The poem is also concerned with the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker of the poem is portrayed as a lone watcher of the skies, who observes the changing seasons and the gradual march of time. The scholar gypsy, meanwhile, is seen as a symbol of a bygone era of intellectual curiosity and adventure. This theme reflects the broader cultural and social changes that were taking place in England during the 19th century, as traditional ways of life were being challenged by the forces of industrialization and modernization.

Alienation and loneliness: Another important theme of the poem is the sense of alienation and loneliness that the speaker feels as he waits for the scholar gypsy to appear. The speaker describes himself as a "lone watcher of the skies," and his isolation is emphasized by the image of the shepherd attending to his duties in the distance. This theme reflects the sense of disconnection and disorientation that can arise when traditional ways of life are disrupted or lost.

Myth and legend: Finally, the poem is also concerned with the power of myth and legend to shape our understanding of the world around us. The scholar gypsy is portrayed as a figure of mystery and fascination, whose story has been passed down through the generations. This theme reflects the human impulse to create stories and myths in order to make sense of our experiences, and to connect with something larger than ourselves.

As a Victorian poem

Certainly! "The Scholar Gypsy" is a product of the Victorian era, a time of significant cultural and social change in England. Here are a few more characteristics of the Victorian era that are reflected in the poem:

Moral earnestness: The Victorian era was marked by a strong sense of moral earnestness, with many writers and thinkers emphasizing the importance of morality, duty, and self-discipline. "The Scholar Gypsy" reflects this emphasis on morality and virtue, with the scholar gypsy being portrayed as a figure who is motivated by a desire for knowledge and understanding, rather than by base desires or material gain.

Nostalgia: The Victorian era was also characterized by a sense of nostalgia for the past, particularly for the pre-industrial era of English history. This nostalgia is reflected in the poem's depiction of the scholar gypsy, who is seen as a symbol of a bygone era of intellectual curiosity and adventure.

Interest in folklore and mythology: The Victorian era saw a renewed interest in folklore and mythology, with many writers and thinkers turning to traditional stories and legends for inspiration. "The Scholar Gypsy" reflects this interest in folklore and mythology, with the scholar gypsy being portrayed as a figure of mystery and fascination whose story has been passed down through the generations.

Romanticism: Finally, "The Scholar Gypsy" reflects the influence of the Romantic movement, which emphasized the importance of individualism, emotion, and the natural world. The poem's vivid descriptions of the English countryside, its depiction of the scholar gypsy as a figure of mystery and fascination, and its emphasis on the importance of intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge are all characteristic of the Romantic movement.

Figure of speech

There are several figures of speech used in "The Scholar Gypsy" that contribute to the poem's vivid imagery and emotional power. Here are a few examples:

Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used to describe something as if it were something else. One example of a metaphor in "The Scholar Gypsy" is the line "And all is hush'd, and still, and bright" (line 25), in which the sky is described as being "bright" as if it were a physical object that emits light.

Personification: Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to non-human things. One example of personification in "The Scholar Gypsy" is the line "The sheep are gone to fold, birds to their nest" (line 20), in which the sheep and birds are given human-like actions (going to sleep in their homes).

Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. One example of hyperbole in "The Scholar Gypsy" is the line "And every shepherd tells his tale / Under the hawthorn in the dale" (lines 19-20), in which the speaker suggests that every shepherd in the countryside is telling a story, which is an exaggerated way of saying that there are many shepherds out in the fields.

Imagery: Imagery is a literary device that uses sensory details to create vivid and evocative descriptions. "The Scholar Gypsy" is rich in sensory imagery, such as the descriptions of the English countryside, the shepherd and his flock, and the scholar gypsy himself. These images help to create a sense of place and atmosphere, and to convey the emotions and ideas that the poem explores.

Style and language of the poem

"The Scholar Gypsy" is written in a style and language that are characteristic of the Victorian era, with its emphasis on clarity, morality, and emotional intensity. Here are a few features of the poem's style and language:

Formal language: The poem is written in a formal, elevated style that reflects the scholarly subject matter and the poet's desire to convey a sense of historical importance. The language is rich in archaic and poetic vocabulary, such as "haply," "wistful," and "moon-blanch'd."

Regular meter: The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This regular meter gives the poem a sense of rhythmic flow and musicality.

Use of alliteration and assonance: The poem makes use of alliteration and assonance, which are literary devices that create musical and rhythmic effects. For example, in the line "And every shepherd tells his tale / Under the hawthorn in the dale" (lines 19-20), the repeated "t" and "h" sounds create a sense of harmony and repetition.

Use of metaphor and imagery: The poem is rich in metaphor and sensory imagery, which create vivid and evocative descriptions of the natural world and the emotions of the speaker. For example, in the line "The white sheep like a stream / Go in and out the wattled fence" (lines 9-10), the comparison of the sheep to a stream creates a sense of movement and continuity.

"The Scholar Gypsy" is a carefully crafted poem that uses language, rhythm, and imagery to convey a sense of wonder and reverence for the past, and to explore the themes of knowledge, identity, and human experience.