Question

Who was the leading literary critic of the Victorian period

• A. Matthew Arnold
• B. Dryden
• C. Dr. Johnson
• D. T.S Eliot

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Matthew Arnold

Matthew Arnold: A Pivotal Figure in Victorian Literary Criticism

Key Contributions and Influence

• Dominant Voice: Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) is widely regarded as the most influential literary critic of the Victorian era. His essays and lectures significantly shaped literary tastes and critical approaches during this period and beyond.
• Emphasis on Culture and Anarchy: Arnold's seminal work, Culture and Anarchy (1869), explored the social and cultural landscape of Victorian England. He advocated for 'culture' as a means to combat the perceived chaos and Philistinism of the age, promoting a harmonious and balanced development of the individual and society.
• The Function of Criticism: In his essay The Function of Criticism at the Present Time (1865), Arnold argued for criticism's role in developing a "free play of the mind" upon all subjects. He believed criticism should be disinterested, objective, and aimed at discovering and disseminating the best ideas and works of art.
• "Touchstones" Method: Arnold proposed the use of "touchstones" – brief quotations from the greatest poets – as a practical method for evaluating the quality of poetry. This approach emphasized the importance of tradition and the enduring excellence of established literary masterpieces.
• "Sweetness and Light": This famous phrase, coined by Arnold in Culture and Anarchy, represents his ideal of culture as a pursuit of perfection, characterized by "sweetness" (beauty and harmony) and "light" (intelligence and knowledge).
• Influence on Modernism: Arnold's emphasis on the objective standards of literature and his call for a more serious and ethical engagement with art laid the groundwork for later critical movements, including aspects of New Criticism and the broader development of academic literary study.
• Poet and Critic: Beyond his critical work, Arnold was also a significant poet. His poetry, often characterized by melancholy, doubt, and a longing for spiritual certainty, reflects the intellectual and emotional currents of his time, making him a complex figure whose creative and critical endeavors were deeply intertwined.
• Poetical Parnassus: Arnold's critical writings championed the study of the great masters of literature, believing that their works offered profound insights into the human condition and served as models for contemporary writers and readers.