On the Study of Celtic Literature

by Matthew Arnold

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Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Ireland, Reference, Literature

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1867

About the author

Poems, such as "Dover Beach" (1867), of British critic Matthew Arnold express moral and religious doubts alongside his Culture and Anarchy , a polemic of 1869 against Victorian materialism.

Matthew Arnold, an English sage writer, worked as an inspector of schools. Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of rugby school, fathered him and and Tom Arnold, his brother and literary professor, alongside William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew...

Reviews

[Guto · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrendously prejudiced and patronising and ignorant, even by the standards of the age.

One will learn little, if anything, useful about "Celtic Literatures" in this piece of writing. One will, however, learn much about the author's preconceptions and inability to think critically and sympathetically. This work was largely responsible for creating the nonsensical notion of 'Celtic Literature' and racial stereotypes. As if Welsh methodist culture of 1850, the Mabinogi and medieval Irish stories and poetry etc were conditioned by some homogenous Celtic culture.

[Katarzyna Bartoszynska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it's a totally ridiculous study in national stereotypes, and a lot of Arnold's views are fairly appalling. But it's fun to read, you've gotta give him that.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote my seminar paper on this series of essays last semester. I like Matthew Arnold. I think he's got a nice sense of humor. I like this series of essays, too. I'm not sure I completely agree with his structural analysis of Celtic literature, but it did give me a new way to look at it.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to study this book while preparing a project on the History of Literary Criticism, way back in 2008. In this tome, Arnold says that the Englishman is a blend of the Norman, Germanic and Celtic strains. The quandary lay in fully realising and harmonising virtues of the three strains. Arnold says that the English can free themselves from 'philistinism' by emphasising on the Celtic strain of their character, namely Celtic passion and responsiveness. The Celtic heritage can be felt in English poetry down the ages, says Arnold. English poetry owes its 'natural magic to the Celtic source. This magic lay in the poetic representation of nature. He defines style as "a peculiar re-casting and heightening, under a certain condition of spiritual excitement, of what a man has to say in such a manner as to add dignity and distinction to it". Arnold finds in Celtic literature the overriding characteristics 'melancholy', 'natural magic' and 'vagueness' which he tries to trace in the works of Shakespeare and Keats. Critics, however, do not agree that Remus and Shakespeare owe much to Celtic influence. It is further commented that it is uncertain if Arnold had first-hand knowledge of Welsh, Cornish, or Irish. Moreover his knowledge of Celtic literature seems to be neither precise nor widespread. A so-so tome.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arrogant drivel for the most part.

Most of the novel was spent casting spite on Celtic and Welsh cultures, calling them uneducated and unimaginative. He makes it clear that he believes the British are the absolute masters of all existence, "despite the inclusion of the Celtic races," followed by the Germans and ancient Greeks. Then he flipped flopped between lauding Celtic writings and demeaning their entire creation.

[SJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Antiquated and not at all what I expected, seeing as it’s more of a study in the influences of English literature than Celtic. Feels a bit condescending, though he does make a few I retesting points.