The Deserted Village Poem Analysis
"The Deserted Village" is a pastoral elegy written by the Irish poet Oliver Goldsmith in 1770. The poem mourns the loss of a rural village, which has been abandoned due to the forces of economic change, particularly the Enclosure Movement, in which common lands were consolidated into private holdings. The poem is both a critique of these economic forces and a lament for the loss of traditional rural life and values.
Structure: "The Deserted Village" is written in heroic couplets, which are pairs of rhymed iambic pentameter lines. This form lends the poem a sense of formality and elegance, and the regular rhythm and rhyme create a sense of order and harmony that contrasts with the poem's themes of loss and dislocation. The poem is divided into several sections that explore different aspects of the village's decline and the consequences for its inhabitants.
Imagery and Language: Goldsmith uses vivid and evocative imagery to paint a picture of the idyllic rural village before its decline, as well as the desolation and decay that follow its abandonment. The poem's language is both simple and elevated, reflecting the poet's desire to elevate the rural and the pastoral while also remaining accessible to a wide audience.
Themes:
Loss of Rural Life: The central theme of "The Deserted Village" is the loss of traditional rural life and values due to economic and social changes. Goldsmith laments the decline of the village and the displacement of its inhabitants, who are forced to seek new lives in the city or abroad. The poem serves as both a nostalgic tribute to a disappearing way of life and a critique of the forces that have led to its destruction.
Economic Critique: Goldsmith uses the poem to critique the economic forces, particularly the Enclosure Movement, that have led to the decline of rural communities. He argues that these forces prioritize profit and efficiency over human welfare and the preservation of traditional ways of life, resulting in social dislocation and suffering.
The Corruption of Wealth: The poem explores the theme of wealth and its corrupting influence on society. Goldsmith contrasts the simplicity and virtue of rural life with the excess and corruption of urban society, suggesting that the pursuit of wealth and material success has led to moral decay and the erosion of traditional values.
Idealization of the Pastoral: "The Deserted Village" is also an example of the pastoral tradition in English literature, which idealizes rural life and laments its decline. Goldsmith portrays the village as a symbol of innocence, simplicity, and harmony, and its destruction serves as a metaphor for the loss of these values in the face of economic and social change.
In summary, "The Deserted Village" is a pastoral elegy that mourns the loss of traditional rural life and values due to the forces of economic change. Through its vivid imagery, elegant structure, and exploration of themes such as loss, economic critique, corruption of wealth, and the idealization of the pastoral, the poem serves as both a tribute to a disappearing way of life and a powerful critique of the forces that have led to its decline.