Question

What metaphor does Arnold use in 'Dover Beach' to symbolize the decline of religious belief?

• A. The 'Ocean of Despair'
• B. The 'Mountain of Doubt'
• C. The 'Sea of Faith'
• D. The 'River of Hope'

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The 'Sea of Faith'

Arnold employs the metaphor of the 'Sea of Faith' to represent religious belief. The receding tide of this sea symbolizes the decline of faith in the face of scientific discoveries and modern skepticism. This central metaphor encapsulates the poem's exploration of the loss of traditional values and the resulting uncertainty.