Question

In the first stanza of 'Dover Beach,' how does Arnold create a sense of unease amidst the initial peaceful scene?

• A. By describing a violent storm
• B. By introducing the 'grating roar' of pebbles
• C. By mentioning the threat of war
• D. By depicting a desolate landscape

Answer 1

Answer:

B. By introducing the 'grating roar' of pebbles

In the opening stanza, Arnold disrupts the peaceful imagery by introducing the 'grating roar of pebbles' being pulled back by the waves. This auditory imagery creates a sense of melancholy and foreshadows the deeper themes of the poem, hinting at the underlying unease and sorrow beneath the surface tranquility.