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| Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was a leading poet, intellect and
aesthete of the Victorian epoch. He is now best known for his
strictures as a literary and cultural critic, and educationist.
After a long period of neglect, his views have come in for a
re-evaluation. Arnold’s poetry remains less well known,
yet his poems and his understanding of poetry, which defied
the conventions of his time, were central to his achievement. |
| The author traces Arnold’s intellectual and poetic development,
showing how his poetry gathers its meanings from a lifetime’s
study of European literature and philosophy. Connolly’s
unique exegesis of ‘Thyrsis’ draws upon a wide-ranging
analysis of the pastoral and its associated myths in both classical
and native cultures. This study shows lucidly and in detail
how Arnold encouraged the intense reflection of the mind on
the subject placed before it, believing in “… the
all importance of the choice of the subject, the necessity of
accurate observation; and subordinate character of expression.” |
| Patrick Carill Connolly gained his English degree at Reading
University and taught English literature abroad for a number
of years before returning to Britain. He is now a civil servant
living in London. |
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