Synopses & Reviews
Matthew Arnold, the foremost Victorian "man of letters", forged a unique literary career, first as an important post-Romantic poet and then as a-prose writer who profoundly influenced the formation of modern literary and cultural studies. Machann challenges the popular image of Arnold as an elitist intellectual and shows how his poetry and prose grew out of his personal life and his passionate engagement with the world, emphasizing the journal publications that drove his career as a literary, social, and religious critic.
Synopsis
Nearly everyone agrees that Arnold is a central figure in Victorian literature, yet his place in literary history is difficult to define. Tracing Arnold's literary development through his life helps us to understand the peculiar nature of his accomplishments. Clinton Machann examines the evolution of Arnold's writings and casts new light on the forces that shaped the career of this extraordinary man of letters.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-166) and indexes.