Analysis of Social Inequality in “West London” by Matthew Arnold and “The Architect and the Vagrant” by K. Sello Duiker Leah Naidoo College

The poems “West London” by Matthew Arnold and “The Architect and the Vagrant” by K. Sello Duiker offer readers a criticism of a society that separates the social classes. Both poets emphasise the segregation of the wealthy (the group that society seems to praise) and the ones living in poverty (the group society shows immense disregard towards). The timelines of the poems were different but the conditions expressed in the different societies were similar.

“West London” was written during the Victorian era in England around 1850. During this time the rise of the industrial revolution caused segregation between the wealthy and the poor. Matthew Arnold wrote “West London” in an Italian sonnet format. Arnold chose to use a foreign sonnet format because he was appalled by the English society, in terms of human empathy, and felt that the Italian society was in a better time and setting. He felt that the English society disregarded the poor and he did not want to be a part of that cruel society. The terrible living conditions that the people lived under is evident in the speaker’s words “moody, and tongue- tied” (L2). It alludes to a sign of hopelessness and disbelief in the events that are occurring in the English society in regards...