Victorian era: Matthew Arnold

Matthew Arnold 

Hello learners. I am a student. I am writing this blog as part of thinking activity which has assigned by Medhama'am. In this blog i will try to discuss about Victorian celebrated critic, poet Matthew Arnold. 

Early life:

      The oldest son of thomas Arnold and marry penrose. Arnold on 24 December 1822. In 1828 Thomas Arnold was appointed headmaster of Rugby school,  where the family took up residence. frome 1831 Arnold was tutored by his clerical uncle. 

   In 1834  the arnol occupied a holiday home, in lake diLake D. There William Wordsworth wad a negeiber and close friend.

Marriage :

Matthew Arnold met Frances Lucy Wightman through a mutual friend, Arthur Hugh Clough. Clough was a poet and a close associate of Arnold's, and he introduced them to each other. Matthew Arnold and Frances Lucy Wightman married in 1851. Their marriage was a product of social connections and mutual acquaintances in literary and intellectual circles of the time.

Professional carrier 

Poet :

      Arnold is best known for his poetry. Some of his famous works include "Dover Beach," "The Scholar-Gipsy," and "The Forsaken Merman." His poetry often explored themes of cultural and social criticism.

Literary critic :

       Arnold was a highly influential literary critic. He is known for his critical essays, such as "Culture and Anarchy" and "Essays in Criticism." In these essays, he explored the role of culture and its impact on society.

Cultural commentator :

       Arnold was a public intellectual who engaged in social and cultural commentary. He was concerned about the moral and intellectual decline in society and wrote extensively on these topics.

Public lecture:

      Arnold delivered public lectures on a range of topics, including literature, culture, and education. His lectures were well-received and contributed to his reputation as a thinker.

School inspector :

       As mentioned earlier, he served as an Inspector of Schools, and in this role, he played a crucial part in evaluating and improving the quality of education in England.

Major contribution in literature :

1. Introduction of touch stone method in literature :

      Arnold introduced the concept of "touchstones" in literary criticism. He believed that literary works should be evaluated based on their ability to convey a sense of "high seriousness" and moral or intellectual value. This approach had a lasting impact on the evaluation of literature.

2. Dover beach :

    Arnold's poem "Dover Beach" is one of his most famous works. It is a lyrical exploration of human doubt, faith, and the changing nature of the world. This poem, along with others like "The Scholar-Gipsy" and "The Forsaken Merman," showcases his poetic talent and his engagement with philosophical and existential themes.

3 .Revival of classical ininfluences :

       Arnold was influential in reintroducing classical themes and influences into English poetry. He believed that the classical elements of restraint, order, and balance were essential for achieving the "high seriousness" he advocated in poetry.

4. Literary criticism :

 Arnold's cultural criticism and ideas on the role of literature in society had a profound influence on the literary culture of his time. He contributed to the broader conversation about the purpose and significance of literature.

Matthew Arnold's contributions to literature, particularly in the realms of poetry and literary criticism, continue to be studied and appreciated for their intellectual depth and influence on subsequent generations of writers and critics.

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