Introduction:
�In Harmony With Nature� is a poem written by Matthew Arnold. Consisting of a deceptive title, it revolves around the poet�s negative perception of nature.
About the Poet:
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was an English poet. He is also a British critic. Famous works of his include �Dover Beach�, �The Scholar Gipsy�, and �Thyrisis�.�
Structure:
This poem is divided into 4 stanzas consisting of 4 lines each. It follows the simple rhyme scheme �abba�.
Explanation of the Stanzas:�
To a preacher
Stanza 1:�
�In harmony with Nature?� Restless fool,� Who with such heat dost preach what were to thee,� When true, the last impossibility�� To be like Nature strong, like Nature cool!
The poem begins with the persona directly addressing a �preacher�. It starts off with a mocking tone, deeming it impossible for Man to be in harmony with Nature. The persona, in fact, calls the preacher a �Restless fool� for him stating the same. The persona deems the harmony of Man and Nature to be �the last impossibility� and that man can never aspire to be as �strong� and �cool� as Nature.
Stanza 2:
Know, man hath all which Nature hath, but more,� And in that more lie all his hopes of good.� Nature is cruel, man is sick of blood;� Nature is stubborn, man would fain adore;
Here, the persona asserts that man possesses everything Nature does and �more� � this �more� being Man�s �hopes of good�. This of course implies that Nature does not possess within it any goodness or hopes. Rather, the persona asserts that �Nature is cruel� and �Nature is stubborn� while insisting that Man is quite the opposite� he is �sick of blood� and finds it in his nature only to �adore�.
Stanza 3:
Nature is fickle, man hath need of rest;� Nature forgives no debt, and fears no grave;� Man would be mild, and with safe conscience blest.
The dichotomy present previously prevails in this stanza as well. While Man is already tired and in �need of rest�, the persona declares that Nature is �fickle�, �forgives no debt�, and �fears no grave�. Thus, the persona once again paints nature as cruel, unforgiving, and reckless as opposed to Man who is �mild� and who is blessed with a �safe conscience�.
Stanza 4:
Man must begin, know this, where Nature ends;� Nature and man can never be fast friends.� Fool, if thou canst not pass her, rest her slave!
The final stanza concludes with a rather cautionary tone. The persona warns for Man to understand that he �begins� only �where Nature ends�. They also firmly state that �Nature and man can never be fast friends�. The ending line brings out how the persona views those who cannot �pass her� and remain for the rest of their lives �her slave� is� like the preacher� a �Fool�.
Conclusion:
This is a rather controversial poem. It presents Nature as a formidable adversary, painting mankind, in contrast, with unrealistic mildness and gentleness.��