Why does Arnold believe that criticism is not a matter of secondary importance but it creates an atmosphere Favourable for creative genius?
He states that the role of criticism is to make itself inherently valuable, and to rouse men from complacency to a state of achieving perfection. Arnold also likens criticism to creativity, citing how the writing of criticism gives rise to creative joy that comes from original writing.
What are the three estimates of poetry according to Arnold?
Arnold says that when one reads poetry he tends to estimate whether it is of the best form or not. It happens in three ways- the real estimate, the historic estimate, and the personal estimate.
Does Arnold consider all kinds of poetry to be of equal value?
All literature is the application of ideas to life. So “poetry is an application of ideas to life” is simply a vain repetition. Arnold believes that the ideas and sentiments to have any permanent value must be based on actual life. Thoughts and feelings excluded from the action might be the creed of a few poets.
How does Matthew Arnold use nature in his poem?
An interesting use of nature by Arnold comes in “The Scholar Gypsy.” Here nature is presented as a place of retreat from the falsity and ceaseless flux of the modern world. When Arnold wrote the poem, Victorian England was experiencing rapid change, with industrial capitalism destroying many of the old certainties.
How does Matthew Arnold use nature in his poems?
In his presentation nature is not gorgeous or spectacular, but rather calm and silent. His emphasis is on natural beauty, quietude and gracefulness. ‘Dover Beach’, acknowledged universally as a typical instance of Arnold’s great poetry, testifies to his genius as a poet-painter of nature.
Why Arnold says poetry is the criticism of life?
When Arnold says that “poetry is the criticism of life,” he means that it is the “noble and profound application of ideas to life.” It is therefore a very serious endeavor designed to get at the truth, not to provide entertainment or ornament.
What is Arnold’s view of morality in poetry?
As the most influential critic in the Victorian period, Matthew Arnold has an important place in literary critical history Morality is he essence of his literary criticism His view that “poetry is the criticism of life” is analyzed through his comments on many poets to illustrate the social and moral functions of …
What is Arnold’s view truth?
He proclaims that truth and high seriousness are two essential qualities of excellent poetry. He tries to represent them as a proper standard for evaluation of poetry. Poetic truth and poetic beauty mean matter and manner respectively. They are later on called high seriousness.