Rugby Chapel poem Summary

RUGBY CHAPEL BY MATHEW ARNOLD

This poem is an elegy written by Mathew Arnold for his father, Thomas Arnold. Mathew Arnold was an English poet and critic who worked as a school inspector. He was one of the best known poets of the 19th century. In this poem, Mathew Arnold describes the virtues of his father. In the first stanza, the poet tells us about the surrounding. It is autumn. It is cold and sad. There are yellow leaves falling. It is also very silent. There are lights in the windows, yet it seems dark and cold. Here, in a chapel, Rugby Chapel, the poet's father has been laid. The grave seems "gloom" but the word reminds the poet about the radiance of his father. When his father was alive, even the dark November seemed bright. It has been fifteen years since he died. And the family feels alone in his absence.

The poet calls out to his father. The poet them becomes philosophical. He wonders about what men do. Some men just roam around. They come and go like the waves in the ocean. They are not remembered. But there are other men who have a passion. They work hard with a goal. The path is filled with obstacles. It is long and they go with friends. When a storm comes they are seperated and only some reach the destination. But, if his father was there, he would have helped others to cross the storm too.  His father never showed that he was suffering. He was always happy and helped others.

Through his father, the poet believes that there are great souls in the world who help others. These people are not ordinary people who make life look ugly. They are heroic and good, helpers of mankind. They are the sons of God. They knew the thoughts of God and helped others.

As the mankind marches on in this troublesome world. Some are tired with thirst and plagues. They are getting divided. They are getting lost in the rocks. They are going to die alone. At such times, angels like his father will appear and help. They are not tired or sad. They give out energy and help mankind complete the journey. They unite everyone. The men feel energetic with new hope and continue till they reach  the destination.

Thomas Arnold

Mathew Arnold