Oliver Goldsmith’s “The Deserted Village” is a significant pastoral elegy that captures the essence of the changing English countryside during the 18th century. Goldsmith, an acclaimed writer of the Romanticism era, presents an elegant and melancholic reflection on the decline of rural life and the effects of industrialization, through the eyes of a poet. This critical analysis of the poem will explore the themes, imagery, and stylistic devices employed by Goldsmith to create a vivid depiction of a lost Arcadia.
One of the prominent themes in “The Deserted Village” is the celebration and lamentation of rural life. Goldsmith idealizes the peaceful and idyllic atmosphere of Auburn, with its “ivy-mantled tower” and “long-revolving years.” The poet longs for the days when Auburn was a thriving community, where “smiling plenty” graced the humble cottages and the villagers lived in harmony. However, as the poem progresses, Goldsmith presents a stark contrast between the past and the present. The once lively and prosperous village has now become a “deserted” and “silent” place, as the villagers are forced to migrate in search of employment due to the encroachment of industrialization.
To convey this theme, Goldsmith masterfully employs vivid imagery throughout the poem. The poet’s use of detailed and picturesque descriptions enables the reader to visualize Auburn, contributing to the elegiac tone. The “hamlet’s hallowed ground” is painted as a place of peace and tranquility, where “every street” held cherished memories. The imagery is intensified as Goldsmith compares the village to a mother’s embrace, and its loss to a funeral: “Each step I made, methought I trod on hearts.” These powerful descriptions evoke a deep sense of loss and nostalgia, further amplifying the elegiac nature of the poem.
The another key aspect of “The Deserted Village” is its critique of the socio-economic changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution. Goldsmith expresses concern over the impact of greedy landlords and the decline of agriculture. The poet sheds light on the plight of the displaced villagers, who are left impoverished and struggling to survive in the city. Goldsmith’s criticism of the enclosures and the destruction of the common land reflects a broader societal issue of the time. The poem becomes a lamentation for a lost way of life, emphasizing the detrimental consequences of industrial progress on rural communities.
As a pastoral elegy, the poem compares the village and rural life to innocence in contrast to the encroachment of industrialisation that brought materialism and corrupt to the people. The poet laments over the loss of innocence of rural countryside which is heavily affected by industrial revolution as reflected in the romanticised recollection of “Auburn” village. The village was able to sustain the life of the inhabitants with “health” and “innocence” in the absence of material wealth. This clearly reflects that the rustic life is a natural wealth and an abundance for the people but the coming of materialism has brought corruption and it has destroyed the innocence of the village.
In addition to this, the speaker also laments how trade, with its relentless pursuit of profit, has taken over the land and displaced the rural inhabitants. The displacement of once a sweet innocent woman is a clear exemplification in the poem where they left the habitat since she engaged herself to material world destroying her innocence. The leaving of many families in the last few lines of the poem also indicates the displacement of the people who has memories left in them and the father who bears a strong masculine force to fight against the emotion of leaving. The poet laments the displacement of people from rural areas in the poem contributing to the characteristic of a pastoral elegy.
The vivid imagery of the scattered hamlets, once filled with simplicity and tranquility that have now been replaced by opulence and grandeur also reflects the loss of innocence by materialism which the poet laments. The subtraction of peaceful and abundant hours, the contentment with little, and the joyful activities that once adorned the landscape also adds volume to the pastoral elegy in the poem. The poet is of the opinion that the people have sought refuge in kinder shores, leaving behind a void where rural happiness and customs no longer exist. These highlights the impact of commercialization and the loss of traditional rural life, where simplicity, contentment, and community were valued.
The elegiac tone of the poem is further enhanced through Goldsmith’s skilled use of stylistic devices. The poem primarily follows a rhyming ABAB form, offering a musicality that soothes the reader’s senses. The smooth and consistent rhythm of the poem mirrors the tranquility and harmony of Auburn’s past, while creating a bittersweet contrast to the present melancholic state of the village. Additionally, Goldsmith employs pastoral conventions, such as the use of shepherds and nymphs, symbolizing purity and innocence. These characters assist in heightening the elegiac mood and weaving together a sense of nostalgia and longing within the poem.
In conclusion, “The Deserted Village” serves as a exemplary pastoral elegy that intertwines themes of loss, nostalgia, and critique of industrialization. Through the masterful use of imagery and stylistic devices, Oliver Goldsmith crafts a vivid portrait of a once thriving village, echoing the sentiments felt during the time of the Industrial Revolution. The elegiac tone employed throughout the poem effectively conveys the poet’s lamentation and highlights the detrimental effects of progress on rural communities. Goldsmith’s elegy serves as a powerful and poignant reflection on the changing landscape and societal transformations of the 18th century, marking it as a significant work within the pastoral genre.
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