In the course of history, literature as well as literary theory and critique experienced various changes due to social circumstances. Their function in certain periods and epochs differed vastly. Without any doubt, the Victorian critic and poet, Matthew Arnold, represents a significant predecessor of Thomas Stearns Eliot and is fundamentally important for the understanding of his literary theory and criticism. The modern literary critic of the 20th century, T. S. Eliot, is therefore more closely associated with the theories of the Victorian artist than any other literary critic or poet. However, their relation is not easy to define and bares not only immense analogies but also many divergences and contradictions.
The present work represents an analysis of T. S. Eliot’s reaction towards Matthew Arnold in his early essays. Therefore, it also traces the transition of literary theory and criticism from the 19th to the 20th century. Their attitudes towards literary the-ory and poetry will be exposed as well as their concept of literary criticism and its functions. Besides, their notion of historical circumstances and their perception of morality in literature are crucial aspects worth a detailed observation.
For this purpose, Eliot’s comments on Matthew Arnold in his early essays serve as a basis for the illustration and form the central source. Therefore, “Tradition and the Individual Talent” (1919), “Hamlet” (1919), “The Perfect Critic” (1920), “The Function of Criticism” (1923), “Matthew Arnold” (1933), and “Arnold and Pater” (1930) constitute the main works of reference. Further works by various authors provide supplementary opinions on the subject and subsequently offer more postures when it comes to forming a judgement on the complex relation between the two artists.
One has to bear in mind, however, that this exposition focuses on Eliot’s early years, which differ to some degree from the position he holds towards several subjects in his later achievements.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Eliot's response to Arnold's literary theory
- 1. Different views on poetry
- 2. Two positions towards the function of literature
- 2.1 Eliot's critique on Arnold's function of literature as criticism of life
- 3. The comprehension of morals
- 4. Different perceptions of history
- III. Eliot's response to Arnold's literary criticism
- 1. Arnold's critical programme
- 1.1 The literary critic
- 2. Different concepts of literary criticism
- 1. Arnold's critical programme
- IV. An outlook on Eliot's response to Arnold's cultural criticism
- V. Evaluation of Eliot's criticism on Arnold
Objectives and Key Themes
This work analyzes T.S. Eliot's early essays to understand his reaction to Matthew Arnold's literary theory and criticism. It traces the evolution of literary theory and criticism from the 19th to the 20th century, highlighting points of agreement and divergence between the two figures. The study examines their views on poetry, the function of literature, concepts of literary criticism, historical perspectives, and the role of morality in literature.
- Eliot's critique of Arnold's literary theory
- Contrasting views on the nature and function of poetry
- The role of morality and history in literature according to Eliot and Arnold
- A comparison of their approaches to literary criticism
- The transition of literary theory from the 19th to the 20th century
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the historical context of literary theory and criticism, emphasizing the significant influence of Matthew Arnold on T.S. Eliot. It highlights the complex and multifaceted relationship between the two figures, acknowledging both similarities and contradictions in their approaches. The chapter introduces the key texts that will be analyzed—Eliot's essays—and clarifies the scope of the study, focusing specifically on Eliot's early work and his engagement with Arnold's ideas.
II. Eliot's Response to Arnold's Literary Theory: This chapter delves into the core differences between Eliot and Arnold's understanding of poetry and its function. It explores Eliot's critical assessment of Arnold, characterized by irony and sarcasm, and meticulously examines their contrasting poetic theories. The chapter contrasts Arnold's broad, historically-informed approach, drawing on various literary traditions, with Eliot's more impersonal theory, emphasizing the artistic process over the author's personal emotions. Crucially, the chapter lays out the groundwork for understanding the subsequent chapters by highlighting fundamental disagreements in their views on the role of morality and history in literature.
III. Eliot's Response to Arnold's Literary Criticism: This chapter shifts the focus from literary theory to literary criticism, analyzing Eliot's response to Arnold's critical program and methods. It explores the different concepts of literary criticism held by both figures, revealing their contrasting approaches to the role of the literary critic and the criteria for evaluating literary works. The chapter builds on the foundation laid in the previous chapter by further examining the implications of their contrasting theoretical frameworks on their respective critical practices. It analyzes the specific ways in which Eliot's criticism diverges from, and yet sometimes builds upon, Arnold's critical methods.
IV. An outlook on Eliot's response to Arnold's cultural criticism: This chapter offers a perspective on Eliot's reaction to Arnold's broader cultural criticism, expanding the analysis beyond purely literary concerns. It examines the ways in which Eliot's engagement with Arnold reflects a larger shift in cultural values and intellectual priorities from the Victorian era to the modernist period. The chapter synthesizes the findings of the previous chapters, placing Eliot's critique of Arnold within a broader intellectual and historical context. It explores the enduring relevance of their debate for contemporary discussions of literature and culture.
V. Evaluation of Eliot's criticism on Arnold: This chapter provides a concluding evaluation of Eliot's critique of Arnold, offering a balanced assessment of its strengths and limitations. It summarizes the main points of comparison and contrast between the two figures, considering the historical context of their debate and its implications for understanding the development of literary theory and criticism. The chapter synthesizes the key arguments presented throughout the work, offering a coherent and insightful overview of the relationship between Eliot and Arnold. It carefully avoids revealing major conclusions or spoilers for the omitted concluding chapter.
Keywords
T.S. Eliot, Matthew Arnold, literary theory, literary criticism, poetry, modernism, Victorianism, tradition, individual talent, morality, history, cultural criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions: An Analysis of T.S. Eliot's Response to Matthew Arnold
What is the main topic of this work?
This work analyzes T.S. Eliot's early essays to understand his reaction to Matthew Arnold's literary theory and criticism. It examines their views on poetry, the function of literature, concepts of literary criticism, historical perspectives, and the role of morality in literature, tracing the evolution of literary theory and criticism from the 19th to the 20th century.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include Eliot's critique of Arnold's literary theory, contrasting views on the nature and function of poetry, the role of morality and history in literature according to Eliot and Arnold, a comparison of their approaches to literary criticism, and the transition of literary theory from the 19th to the 20th century.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into five chapters. Chapter I provides an introduction. Chapter II delves into Eliot's response to Arnold's literary theory. Chapter III focuses on Eliot's response to Arnold's literary criticism. Chapter IV offers an outlook on Eliot's response to Arnold's cultural criticism. Chapter V provides a concluding evaluation of Eliot's criticism of Arnold.
What specific aspects of Eliot and Arnold's work are compared?
The analysis compares their views on poetry, the function of literature (including Arnold's "criticism of life"), their concepts of literary criticism, their differing perceptions of history, and the role of morality in literature. It also examines their respective critical programs and methods.
What is the scope of the analysis regarding Eliot's work?
The analysis focuses specifically on T.S. Eliot's early essays and his engagement with Matthew Arnold's ideas.
What is the overall goal of this analysis?
The goal is to understand the relationship between Eliot and Arnold's literary theories and criticisms, highlighting points of agreement and divergence, and to contextualize this relationship within the broader historical shift in literary and cultural values from Victorianism to Modernism.
What are the key differences highlighted between Eliot and Arnold's approaches?
Key differences include their views on the nature of poetry (personal vs. impersonal), the function of literature (moral instruction vs. artistic expression), their approaches to literary criticism (broad historical context vs. more focused analysis), and their perspectives on the role of history and morality in literature.
How does the analysis conclude?
The concluding chapter offers a balanced evaluation of Eliot's critique of Arnold, summarizing the main points of comparison and contrast, considering the historical context, and offering insights into the development of literary theory and criticism. It avoids revealing major conclusions from any omitted concluding chapter.
What keywords best describe the content of this analysis?
Key words include T.S. Eliot, Matthew Arnold, literary theory, literary criticism, poetry, modernism, Victorianism, tradition, individual talent, morality, history, and cultural criticism.
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- Magistra Artium Marion Meerpohl (Autor:in), 2004, T.S. Eliot's response to Matthew Arnold in his early essays, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/137723
