Matthew
Arnold: Culture and Anarchy
Questions & Answers
Answer
the following questions in brief:
1.
What does Arnold mean by culture?
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According to Arnold, culture certainly has as
one of its grounds the scientific passion for pure knowledge. Culture certainly
has a desire to see things as they are. But, at the same time, culture is also
based on the moral and social passion for doing good. By doing good, Arnold
means the desire for removing human error, clearing human confusion,
diminishing human misery, and the wish to leave the world better and happier
than it previously was.
2.
Write a note on Arnold as a censor of
his age.
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Culture and Anarchy may truly be described as
an indictment of Victorian society in England. In this book Arnold appears as a
critic and censor of his age. He does not share the smugness and complacency of
the vast bulk of the aristocracy and the middle class of his time. On the
contrary, he tries to prick the bubble of their vanity and their feelings of
self-importance and of the importance of their country.
3.
What is the final end and aim of both
Hebraism and Hellenism?
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The final end and aim of both Hebraism and
Hellenism is undoubtedly the same. The final aim in each case is man’s
perfection or salvation. The final end and aim of both is that we should become
“partakers of the divine nature”; and this aim is surely splendid and
admirable.
4.
What stand does Arnold take on religion?
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The modern spirit, Arnold thinks, has made
belief in the supernatural impossible for many Englishmen and soon it will make
such a belief impossible for very many more. But Arnold is anxious that under
the influence of the modern spirit, people should not discard religion itself
because religion is not wholly and exclusively based on a belief in the
supernatural.
5.
Write a note on style of Matthew Arnold.
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Arnold’s prose style has received high praise
from most critics. His prose style has been called “charming” and
“fascinating”. It is regarded as possessing both “grace” and “elegance”.
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