Matthew Arnold : Characteristics of Good Poetry and criticism

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Here I'm posting my answer of thinking activity on Matthew Arnold. This task given by Dr. Dilip Barad sir Department of English M.K. Bhavnager University.

#Matthew Arnold:-

                 

  Born:- 24 December 1822

 Died:-15 April 1888

# Matthew Arnold was an English poet and cultural Critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby school, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William  Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator.

# Here I am going to my view on detachment and disinterestedness, fallacies like historical and personal , second is his 'Touchstone method' and their is his definition of Poetry.

# Disinterestedness or detachment:-

The first great principle of criticism enunciated by Arnold is that of disinterestedness or detachment disinterestedness on the part of the Critic implies freedom from all prejudices, personal or historical.

# Arnold's Touchstone method:-

To find Wich Poetry is the best, Matthew Arnold suggest a Method known as ' Touch tone method'. This method was introduced in his work "The study of Poetry".
Purpose of his method:-
Select some best lines from the well-known Poetry. Compare it with other poets. Definition and evaluate with different measurement; and pass the judgement.

Matthew Arnold was basically a classicist. He admired the ancient Greek, Roman, and French authors as the models to be followed by the modern English authors. That's why he introduced a method to judge a poetic work using classical work as the base. According to Arnold, a real classic is a work which belongs to the class of the very best. It can be recognized by placing it beside the known classics of the world. Those known classics can serve as the Touchstone by which the merit of contemporary poetic work can be tested.


# Definition of Poetry:-

" 'In poetry' this criticism of life must conform to the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty".

# poetry is criticism of life

-Arnold asserts that literature, and especially Poetry, is " Criticism of Life".

-In poetry, this criticism of life must conform to the   laws of poetic truth and beauty

-Truth and seriousness of matter, falicity and perfection of diction and manner, as are exhibited in the best poets, are what constitutes a criticism of life.

# Work of Matthew Arnold:-

-Dover Beach

-The Scholar Gipsy

-Culture and Anarchy

-Thyrsis

-Literature & dogma

# Characteristics:

Poetry is an interpretation of life. It is Criticism of life. It has the power to console, sustain and form us. At the same time, it delights us too.poetry plays an eminent role in life. It is more important than religion. In this respect, Arnold says....

  " In poetry, as a criticism of life under the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty".

Matthew Arnold is an intellectual giant of the Victorian period. His  views about poetry are elaborately stated in his " The study of Poetry". He has a high conception of Poetry. He points out the Characteristics of best Poetry where man will stay in future. He is confident that Poetry has immense future. He  expresses his views on the nature, function and character of poetry to a great extent. He gives to Poetry a very high position. Arnold sets high standards for Poetry. According to him, it attains the place of religion. It is an application of ideas to life. The best kind of Poetry is a criticism of life.

Matthew Arnold was a poet and literary Critic whose influence continued long after his death. His poetry explored isolation and conflict with a dark and difficult world through themes like loneliness and isolation, classical characters and ideas, and the flaws of modern life.

Thank you.....