ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -More specifically, the Sea of Faith symbolizes the diminishing influence of Christianity. As the speaker notes, “The Sea of Faith / Was once, too, at the full” (lines 21–22), meaning that Christianity had once enjoyed widespread influence.

Detailed explanation-2: -The ‘sea of faith’ symbolizes the endless capacity for compassion and trust that human beings are capable of, but rarely display.

Detailed explanation-3: -Arnold uses the sea as a symbol for the inevitably negative fate of humanity. Throughout the poem, the sea and waves gain momentum and become more and more rough and violent. The waves come and go, but they ultimately bring the eternal note of sadness.

Detailed explanation-4: -One of the main themes in this novel is faith in God and faith in oneself, and the conflict between belief and doubt. It is this need for faith that brings the two main characters together. John and Owen seem to need each other and there is an odd connection between the two that is shown throughout the novel.

Detailed explanation-5: -"Dover Beach” is the most celebrated poem by Matthew Arnold, a writer and educator of the Victorian era. The poem expresses a crisis of faith, with the speaker acknowledging the diminished standing of Christianity, which the speaker sees as being unable to withstand the rising tide of scientific discovery.