pherds, fields, and nature. So, in a pastoral elegy, the poet uses natural beauty and the rural setting to express deep sorrow or loss. Some famous pastoral elegies are John Milton’s “Lycidas” and P. B. Shelley’s “Adonais.”

“The Scholar Gipsy” as a Pastoral Elegy

Matthew Arnold’s (1822-1888) “The Scholar Gipsy” (1853) is also a pastoral elegy, though it is a little different. In this poem, the poet is not mourning a clear death, but he is sad about the loss of hope, purity, and peace in modern life. The poet tells the story of the Scholar Gipsy, a poor Oxford student who left his studies to live among the gipsies. Unlike modern people, the Scholar Gipsy was full of hope, peace, and purity. Arnold uses the form of a pastoral elegy to express his sadness about modern life.

Pastoral Scenes: The poem is full of beautiful natural scenes. Arnold describes the fields, hills, flowers, and rivers of the Oxford countryside. The speaker watches the shepherd and reapers working in the field. He then tells the shepherd that he will remain out there until sunset. He will enjoy the scenery and study the towers of Oxford. The poet writes:

“Through the thick corn the scarlet poppies peep…”

So, there are shepherds, sheep, cornfields, poppies, and wildflowers. It gives us a picture of the peaceful countryside, which is the style of a pastoral elegy.

Mourning the Modern Life: We find a sad tone in this poem. Arnold is mourning the modern world. Because the modern world is full of confusion, doubt, and tiredness. The poet says that modern people do not have one clear aim. They are always changing their thoughts and desires. He writes,

“Each strives, nor knows for what he strives.”

This means people try many things, but they do not know what they really want. Their hearts are weak, and they do not have strong beliefs. So, in this pastoral elegy, the poet is not crying for one person, but for the loss of a better way of living.

The Scholar Gipsy—A Symbol of Lost Value: The Scholar Gipsy was completely different from the modern people. He left the Oxford University to live among the gipsies. His goal was to learn their art or skill. He wanted to find peace and deep knowledge, away from the worries and doubts of modern life. He was full of hope and clear purpose. The poet says:

“Thou hadst one aim, one business, one desire.”

So, the Scholar Gipsy becomes a symbol of the lost value of modern people. He is what modern people have lost: hope, peace, purpose, and deep knowledge.

Immortality and Hope: Like a pastoral elegy, this poem ends with immortality and hope. The poet makes the Scholar Gipsy immortal. He believes the Scholar Gipsy is not dead, though his story is hundreds of years old. The poet imagines he is still wandering in the fields. He is never growing old, never tired, and full of strength. The poet imagines him as someone who is—

“Waiting for the spark from heaven to fall.”

This means he is finding peace and deep knowledge. The poet wishes to be like the Scholar Gipsy. He finally accepts the loss and hopes for a better life.

In conclusion, “The Scholar Gipsy” is a pastoral elegy, not in the usual way of mourning a death, but in a deeper, symbolic way. Arnold uses the beauty of nature and countryside to mourn the loss of hope, faith, and unity in modern life. The Scholar Gipsy becomes a symbol of a pure, spiritual life that the poet feels we no longer have.