Selected Prose

Matthew Arnold is too often studied in compartments - as his father's son, as poet, educationist, literary critic, moralist, or political theorist. But Arnold was one man, and one who could fill the role of official Victorian prophet. His prose - itself shaped in a classic mould of simplicity, clarity and brevity - is almost invariably inspired by one theme : 'how to find and keep high ideals' in an age of Barbarian aristocraty, Philistine middle classes and ignorant populace. He clearly saw... Voir plus