Name: Darshangi Andharia
Paper: E-c-204: The Victorian Literature
Topic: Culture and Anarchy
SEM: 2, part 1
Year: 2011-2012
Dr.Dilip Barad,
Bhavnagar University,
Bhavnagar.
Culture and Anarchy
By Matthew Arnold
Culture and Anarchy was published in 1869. It is in response to specific Victorian issues; commentators have since examined the work for its relevance to universal ethical question and social issues in subsequent generations. This essay argues for a restructuring of England social ideology. It reflects Arnold’s passionate conviction that, the uneducated English masses could be molded or converted into conscientious individuals who strives for human perfection through the harmonious cultivation of all of their skills and talents. Arnold is in favor of high culture he doesn’t give any importance to popular culture. it is divided into many chapters.
(01)Arnold and three classes: - the Barbarians, the Philistine and the Populace.
He has divided the society of England into three classes and analyzes them with their virtue and defects. His scrutiny of three classes of his time proves him good critic.
The Barbarians: - For aristocratic class he used this word and he views that this class lacks adequate courage for resistance. They have personal individualism, liberty and doing as one likes. They had great passion for field sports. Their external styles in manners, accomplishments and powers are inherited from the Barbarians.
The Philistine: - The middle class, known by their wisdom, expert of industry and found busy in industrialization and commerce. Their eternal inclination is to the progress and prosperity of the country by building cities, railroads and running the great wheels of industry. They have produced the greatest mercantile navy. So, they are Empire builders. In this material progress, the working class is with them.
The Populace: - This class is known raw and half developed because of poverty and other related diseases. This class is mostly exploited by the barbarian and philistine. The author finds democratic arousing in this class because they are getting political consciousness and are coming out from their hiding places to assert an English man’s heaven-born privilege of doing as one likes, meeting where he likes, breaking what he likes.
(02)Arnold’s concept of Hebraism and Hellenism: -
In this he takes about concept of doing and thinking. His general view about human beings is that they prefer to act rather than to think. He rejects it because mankind is to err and he can’t always think right. He takes about the great idea to know and the great energy to act. Both are the most potent forces and they should be in harmony by the light of reason. So, they are Hebraism and Hellenism. The final aim of Hebraism and Hellenism is the same as man’s perfection and salvation. He further discuss that the supreme idea with Hellenism or Greek spirit is to see things as the really are and the supreme idea of Hebraism or the spirit of bible is conduct and obedience. Hebraism studies the universal order and observes the magnificence of God apparent in the order, whereas Hellenism acquires spontaneity of consciousness with a strictness of conscience with its clarity of though. In brief, Hebraism shows stress on doing rather than knowing and follows the will of God. Its primary idea is absolute obedience to the will of God.
Hellenism and Hebraism both are directly connected to the life of human beings. Hellenism keeps emphasis on knowing or knowledge, where as Hebraism fastens its faith in doing. In conclusion, it must be added that the rule of life should be based on the theory of Hellenism and Hebraism because the final aim of both is man’s perfection or salvation.
Culture and Anarchy
By Matthew Arnold
Culture and Anarchy was published in 1869. It is in response to specific Victorian issues; commentators have since examined the work for its relevance to universal ethical question and social issues in subsequent generations. This essay argues for a restructuring of England social ideology. It reflects Arnold’s passionate conviction that, the uneducated English masses could be molded or converted into conscientious individuals who strives for human perfection through the harmonious cultivation of all of their skills and talents. Arnold is in favor of high culture he doesn’t give any importance to popular culture. it is divided into many chapters.
(01)Arnold and three classes: - the Barbarians, the Philistine and the Populace.
He has divided the society of England into three classes and analyzes them with their virtue and defects. His scrutiny of three classes of his time proves him good critic.
The Barbarians: - For aristocratic class he used this word and he views that this class lacks adequate courage for resistance. They have personal individualism, liberty and doing as one likes. They had great passion for field sports. Their external styles in manners, accomplishments and powers are inherited from the Barbarians.
The Philistine: - The middle class, known by their wisdom, expert of industry and found busy in industrialization and commerce. Their eternal inclination is to the progress and prosperity of the country by building cities, railroads and running the great wheels of industry. They have produced the greatest mercantile navy. So, they are Empire builders. In this material progress, the working class is with them.
The Populace: - This class is known raw and half developed because of poverty and other related diseases. This class is mostly exploited by the barbarian and philistine. The author finds democratic arousing in this class because they are getting political consciousness and are coming out from their hiding places to assert an English man’s heaven-born privilege of doing as one likes, meeting where he likes, breaking what he likes.
(02)Arnold’s concept of Hebraism and Hellenism: -
In this he takes about concept of doing and thinking. His general view about human beings is that they prefer to act rather than to think. He rejects it because mankind is to err and he can’t always think right. He takes about the great idea to know and the great energy to act. Both are the most potent forces and they should be in harmony by the light of reason. So, they are Hebraism and Hellenism. The final aim of Hebraism and Hellenism is the same as man’s perfection and salvation. He further discuss that the supreme idea with Hellenism or Greek spirit is to see things as the really are and the supreme idea of Hebraism or the spirit of bible is conduct and obedience. Hebraism studies the universal order and observes the magnificence of God apparent in the order, whereas Hellenism acquires spontaneity of consciousness with a strictness of conscience with its clarity of though. In brief, Hebraism shows stress on doing rather than knowing and follows the will of God. Its primary idea is absolute obedience to the will of God.
Hellenism and Hebraism both are directly connected to the life of human beings. Hellenism keeps emphasis on knowing or knowledge, where as Hebraism fastens its faith in doing. In conclusion, it must be added that the rule of life should be based on the theory of Hellenism and Hebraism because the final aim of both is man’s perfection or salvation.
Hi Darshangi,
ReplyDeleteAccording to you which is better "Hebraism" and "Helleism"? Please comment.
Hii.... Darshangi...
ReplyDeleteyou gave very brief summery of two essay. And your concept of Hebraism and Hellenism was very good explained and also compact one.
Nice one..
keep it up..
Thank you...
Hi...Namrata in the last paragraph i have mentioned that both are equal for our life. Hellenism believes in knowledge and Hebraism believes in doing and for perfection we need both. We can't achieve our goal without knowledge and if we have both, we need to put it in to practice so both are equal for life.
ReplyDelete