A Wish by Matthew Arnold (1852)

Name: A Wish
Author: Matthew Arnold

The poem expresses a desire for a peaceful and dignified death, free from the trappings of societal expectations and the presence of mourners. The speaker rejects the notion of a death surrounded by greedy heirs, tearful friends, and medical professionals who can only label the inevitable. Instead, the speaker longs for solitude and the beauty of nature, wishing to gaze upon the world one last time, appreciating its vastness and continuity beyond personal existence. The speaker seeks liberation from the emotional turmoil that often accompanies death, emphasizing a preference for the serenity of the natural landscape over the chaos of human interactions. There is a yearning for a connection with the universe, a desire to transcend the struggles of life and death, and to embrace a sense of belonging to something greater. The poem culminates in a wish for a calm acceptance of death, allowing the spirit to depart willingly, whether to continue its journey elsewhere or to remain in the world it has known.

By Matthew Arnold · First published 1852 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Lyric · 520 words

First lines

I ask not that my bed of death / From bands of greedy heirs be free; / For these besiege the latest breath / Of fortune's favour'd sons, not me.

I ask not each kind soul to keep / Tearless, when of my death he hears; / Let those who will, if any, weep!

There are worse plagues on earth than tears.

I ask but that my death may find / The freedom to my life denied; / Ask but the folly of mankind / Then, then at last, to quit my side.

Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

A Wish is listed on Textopian as a short story by Matthew Arnold, dated 1852 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Matthew Arnold
Date: 1852 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Lyric, Meditative, Romanticism
Length: 520 words
Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for A Wish by Matthew Arnold
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of death, existence, and the desire for peace in the face of mortality.
Philosophical — The poem delves into philosophical reflections on life, death, and the human condition.
Lyric — The personal and emotional tone of the poem aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
Meditative — The poem's contemplative nature and focus on introspection and observation of the world reflect a meditative genre.