Essay Questions

Bring out how Mathew Arnold demonstrates a good understanding of culture in Culture and Anarchy.

In chapter one of Culture and Anarchy—Sweetness and Light, Mathew Arnold develops a clear, well-laid, and conspicuous foundation that is fundamental in the understanding of culture. In particular, he brings out his unique understanding of the concepts underlying the work including a well-simplified definition of culture. Through his proven good understanding of the same, he provides a simplified explanation of the word simply putting it as the inescapable societal movement towards some idea. He then presents the requirements that underlie perfection, defining them as the enthusiasm and readiness to learn as well as the determination geared towards ensuring that the rest of the society is built based on the learned knowledge and appreciation.

Bring out how Mathew Arnold shows the influence of anarchy on culture in Culture and Anarchy.

In the second chapter of Culture and Anarchy, Arnold employs a response-like essay approach to bring out the concept that lies in opposition to culture—anarchy. Lightly defined, anarchy is the “absence of government”, and lawlessness. Based on this work, anarchy is presented as being in opposition to culture as it involves the freedom to do what one pleases with no regard for the consequences involved. In Arnold’s point of view, anarchy is significantly different from its modern definition as it involves the reverence of freedom in itself rather than the advantages that are associated with comprehending the duties and responsibilities linked with freedom.

Show how cultural types and subdivisions are brought out in Culture and Anarchy.

Mathew Arnold argues that within any society, there exists certain cultural types as well as subdivisions. For instance, Arnold says that, in a society, distinctions based on such things as taste are sure to be noticed among the general population. As an example, Arnold says that whilst some people might like art, a portion of this populace may prefer high art while some might not even understand the value of art at all. In this way, the subdivisions within a society are visible.