MATTHEW ARNOLD

  

MATTHEW ARNOLD

 

Introduction
Matthew Arnold was a major figure in Victorian literature. He was born in 1822 and was not only a poet but also a great critic. He worked as a school inspector, which gave him deep insight into the education system and the condition of society. Arnold’s writing reflects his concern for moral values, culture, and the need for intellectual growth. He believed that literature should guide society. He tried to bring balance between emotion and reason, poetry and criticism, and old traditions and modern life.

Poetry with a Deep Message

Arnold’s poetry is thoughtful and serious. It talks about human sadness, the search for truth, and the loss of faith. One of his famous poems, “Dover Beach,” shows how people are losing their religious beliefs and feeling confused. He uses the image of the sea to show this loss. His poems do not offer easy comfort. Instead, they reflect the real struggles of modern life. Other important poems like “The Scholar-Gipsy” and “Thyrsis” deal with the themes of lost beauty, fading traditions, and the need for hope. His poetry is calm, musical, and full of emotion, but it always invites deep thought.

Arnold as a Literary Critic

Matthew Arnold is more famous today for his literary criticism than for his poetry. He believed that criticism should help people understand the best that has been thought and said in the world. He saw literature as a mirror of life and a source of moral strength. In his essays, especially “The Function of Criticism at the Present Time,” he says that criticism should be honest, fair, and based on facts—not personal feelings.

Arnold introduced the idea of “disinterestedness,” which means the critic must not let personal or political bias affect their judgment. He also stressed the importance of studying classical literature because it offers noble ideas and beautiful forms. He respected writers like Homer, Sophocles, and Shakespeare and believed their works could teach modern people about truth and beauty.

Culture and Society

Arnold’s most famous prose work is “Culture and Anarchy.” In this book, he talks about how culture can improve society. He defines culture as “the best that has been thought and said.” He believed that true culture involves both knowledge and moral goodness. He criticized the materialism of Victorian society and the narrow thinking of different social classes.

He described three groups in society:

  1. The Barbarians – the upper class, who had wealth and power but lacked true culture.
  2. The Philistines – the middle class, who focused on money and lacked imagination.
  3. The Populace – the working class, often struggling and angry, lacking guidance.

Arnold believed that culture could bring harmony by helping people rise above class divisions and selfish interests.

Role of Education

As a school inspector, Arnold saw education as the key to national progress. He felt that education should not just train the mind, but also build character. He promoted the teaching of literature and moral values in schools. He believed that poetry and great books could shape the heart and mind of young people.

Style and Language

Arnold’s style is clear, serious, and thoughtful. He does not use flashy words. His aim was always to make people think. In poetry, he used simple yet powerful images to express deep emotions. In prose, he used logic and careful argument to explain his ideas. His language is often elegant and classical, showing his respect for tradition.

Legacy and Influence

Matthew Arnold influenced both poetry and criticism. He taught readers to value literature not just as entertainment, but as a tool for moral and social growth. He laid the foundation for modern literary criticism by introducing ideas like evaluating works by their “touchstone” quality. His views on education, society, and culture remain important even today. Writers, teachers, and critics still study his works to understand the deeper role of literature in life.

Conclusion
Matthew Arnold was a man of letters who worked hard to bring meaning and purpose to both poetry and criticism. He wanted people to think deeply, live morally, and appreciate the richness of culture. In a time of change and confusion, he stood as a voice of wisdom. His calm yet powerful words continue to guide readers toward truth, beauty, and harmony in both literature and life.

REFERENCE
Arnold, Matthew. Culture and Anarchy. Oxford University Press, 2006.
Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the English-Speaking World. Anboco, 2016.
SparkNotes Editors. “Matthew Arnold.” SparkNotes. www.sparknotes.com.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SONNET

  Sonnet – As a literary form   1. Introduction The sonnet is a short lyric poem of 14 lines , written in iambic pentameter . It is one of the most important poetic forms in English and European literature. The word “sonnet” comes from the Italian word sonetto , meaning “a little song.” This form allows the poet to express deep emotion, especially about love, beauty, nature, and time. Though it began in Italy, the sonnet became extremely popular in England, especially during the Elizabethan Age .   2. Origin and History The sonnet form began in 13th-century Italy . Its earliest and most famous practitioner was Francesco Petrarch . He wrote a sequence of love sonnets to his muse, Laura . His form, now called the Petrarchan sonnet , influenced all of Europe. In the 16th century, Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey brought the form to England. They translated and adapted Petrarch’s sonnets into English. Later, William Shakespeare and Edmund Spen...
Read more

THE PURITAN AGE

  CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PURITAN AGE (1620–1660)   Introduction The Puritan Age in English literature refers to the period between 1620 and 1660. It was a time of deep political, religious, and social unrest in England. The age is named after the Puritans, a group of religious reformers who wanted to purify the Church of England. This period includes the rule of King Charles I, the English Civil War, the execution of the king, and the rise of Oliver Cromwell. It ends with the Restoration of Charles II. Literature during this time reflected the seriousness and struggles of the period. Writers focused on religious faith, moral values, and the duty of man toward God. The joyful spirit of the Elizabethan Age disappeared. In its place came a tone of seriousness, discipline, and introspection.   Religious Influence and Moral Purpose One of the most striking features of the Puritan Age is its religious character . Almost all the writing of this time was shaped by the B...
Read more

THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE NOVEL

    THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE NOVEL   Introduction The novel is a powerful and popular form of literature. It tells stories in prose and focuses on people, emotions, and events. But the novel did not exist from the beginning. It is a modern form compared to older forms like epic poetry and drama. William Henry Hudson, in his book An Introduction to the Study of Literature , gives a clear explanation of how the novel began and how it grew. His views help us understand why the novel became so important in modern literature. This essay discusses the origin and growth of the novel as presented by Hudson.  Early Roots and Literary Background The novel is one of the latest literary forms to develop. It came after poetry, ballads, epics, and drama. Long ago, people shared stories through oral traditions. These included tales of heroes, gods, and great battles. Slowly, these became written poems and plays. While the drama appeared earlier, the novel came later...
Read more