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Thursday 18 April 2013

Matthew Arnold's theory of poetry .


Matthew Arnold one of foremost critic of 19th century is often regarded as father of modern English criticism . Arnold's work as literary critic started with "Preface to poems " in 1853 .It is a kind of manifesto of his critical creed . It reflects classicism as well his views on grand poetic style . Arnold was classicist who loved art , literature and Hellenic culture .
                                                            His most famous piece of literary criticism is in his essay " The study of poetry ". In this work he talks about poetry's " high destiny " . He believes " mankind  will discover that we have to turn poetry to interpret life for us ,to console us ,to sustain us " .
Arnold lived in a materialistic world where advancement of science has led society in a strange darkness . Importance of religion was submerged . People were becoming fact seekers .A gap was being developed and Arnold believed poetry could fill that gap .In his words "Our religion has materialised itself in the fact , and the fact is now failing it .But for poetry the idea is everything ,the rest is world of illusion , of Divine illusion " .Arnold wrote " without poetry our science will appear incomplete ;and most of what now passes with religion and philosophy will be replaced by poetry .
He had definite aim in writing poetry .It was " criticism of life " By " criticism of life " he meant   " noble and profound application of ideas of life ". He said poetry should serve a greater purpose  instead of becoming a mere medium of gaining pleasure and appreciating beauty .
                          According to him  the best poetry is criticism of life , abiding laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty .By poetic truth he meant representation of life in true way . By poetic beauty he meant manner and style of poetry . He said poet should be a man with enormous experience . His intellect should be highly developed by means of enormous reading and deep critical thinking .
          Arnold says poetry is an " application of ideas to life " . If the application of ideas  is powerful the poetry will become great . He also lays emphasis on quality of " high seriousness "
It comes with sincerity which poet feels for his subject. Many critics disagreed Arnold ,T.S.Elliot a great poet himself disagreed his view by saying  Arnold's view is "frigid to anyone who has felt the full surprise and elevation of new experience in poetry " .Arnold classic poets include Dante , Milton , Homer and  Shakespeare . He quotes famous line of Milton

" Nor thy life nor hate ; but what thou livest
Live well : how ling or short , permit to heaven" .
According to Arnold Geoffrey Chaucer was not a classic poet as he lacked " high seriousness " .

Arnold said poetry should deal with ideas not facts . Ideas should be moral . He said moral should not be taken in narrow sense . He says " poetry of revolt against life ; a poetry of indifference towards moral idea is a poetry of indifference towards life ".

22 comments:

  1. nice note on ARNOLD's theory of poetry.....i liked it

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  2. really very helpfull note bro
    thanks for it

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  3. Thanx for it....I am also student of literature in BHU

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  4. good to hear frm u dear ............

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  5. Its simple and good..! Thnk u..

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  6. Its simple and good..! Thnk u..

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. A smart writing where complex things presented in a simple way.

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  9. Kindly check your spellings.You have spelt *Eliot* wrong.

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  10. The best I got thank u so much

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  11. thank you so much,
    your writing piece is really helpful for me.

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  12. It was really helpful for me...thanks

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  13. It covers the important question "why Arnold believes that Poetry is foremost and most important/influential means of expression even in modern times and why does he prefer poetry over other literary means?"

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  14. thanks it very simple .

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  15. I like the way you describe about Mathew Arnold

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