Matthew Arnold

Matthew arrnold 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 workhe talks about poetry's " high destiny " . He belives " 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 darkneess . Importace of religion was submerged . People were becoming fact seekers .A gap was being devloped and Arnold belived poetry could fill that gap .In his words "Our religion has materialized 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 devine 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 ideasof 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 repersentation 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 devloped by means of enormous reading and deep critical thinking .