Written by Matthew Arnold around 1851 while he was on his honeymoon, Dover Beach is a dramatic monologue addressed to his wife, Frances Wightman, and to "any woman listening to the sightings of any man” (Cummings); At that time, the world was just emerging from the Romantic era and entering the era of the Industrial Revolution. New technological inventions were changing the world, and sciences such as biology and astronomy were challenging long-held beliefs of the church and church. The Church which was going through its own trials with the Church of England was divided into low, broad and high churches (Unknown). In Dover Beach, Matthew Arnold writes about religion and the Industrial Revolution and how they affected the human condition at the time. These themes and concerns are just as relevant today as they were 159 years ago. One of the central themes and messages of Dover Beach. are “challenges to the validity of long-standing theological and moral precepts that have shaken people’s faith in God and religion” (Cummings). In Arnold's time, a new secular nationalism, humanism, evolutionism, and religious conservatism on the part of the Transcendentalists were arising and sometimes even taking the place of the old traditional beliefs of the Church (Boulton; Unknown). in doubt” (Cummings). This change was a result of the evolution of the Industrial Revolution and many social and economic problems due to this change (Unknown). Many members of Victorian society were conflicted and "a loss of faith for many became a phase throughout Victorian society" (Unknown). Writers, who at the time felt it was their duty to write about the common experiences and ideas of society...... middle of paper ...... David. “Who needs religion?” New Internationalist (2004): 14. Cummings, William. “Dover Beach.” and Cummings Study Guides. May 2011. Dickie, Jordan. “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold: Analsis. 2010. Best Word. May 2011. Lienhard, John. “The engines of our ingenuity.” 2006. Dover Beach. May 2011. Rosenblatt, Roger. “Essay: Where is our Dover Beach? » Time (1985). Schow, H. Wayne. "Arnold's 'Dover Beach'." The Explainer (1998): 26.Touche, Julia. "Arnold's 'Dover Beach': A Commentary." 2009. Victorian Web. May 2011. Unknown. “Matthew Arnold.” April 28, 2011. University of Iowa. Can 2011 .