Poetry, Science and High Standards in Matthew Arnold

Matthew Arnold: Poetry as Criticism of Life

We should conceive of it [poetry] as capable of higher uses, and called to higher destinies, than those which in general men have assigned to it hitherto. More and more mankind will discover that we have to turn to poetry to interpret life for us, to console us, to sustain us. Without poetry, our science will appear incomplete; and most of what now passes with us for religion and philosophy will be replaced by poetry. Science, I say, will appear incomplete without it...

But if we conceive thus highly of the destinies of poetry, we must also set our standard for poetry high, since poetry, to be capable of fulfilling such high destinies, must be poetry of a high order of excellence. We must accustom ourselves to a high standard and to a strict judgment... For in poetry the distinction between excellent and inferior, sound and unsound or only half-sound, true and untrue or only half-true, is of paramount importance. It is of paramount importance because of the high destinies of poetry. In poetry, as a criticism of life under the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty, the spirit of our race will find, we have said, as time goes on and as other helps fail, its consolation and stay. But the consolation and stay will be of power in proportion to the power of the criticism of life. And the criticism of life will be of power in proportion as the poetry conveying it is excellent rather than inferior, sound rather than unsound or half-sound, true rather than untrue or half-true.

— Matthew Arnold, "The Study of Poetry"

1) Translate: "poetry to interpret life for us"

Matthew Arnold wants to show that poetry must serve as a foundation for understanding life. We must ensure that the poetry has a high level of excellence. Poetry is a criticism of life and an instrument to improve life. This presents a highly insightful idea of poetry. When we put poetry and life together, we can understand life better.

2) Briefly explain the general meaning of this passage

Poetry is very important in our lives. Arnold is preoccupied and argues that poetry is essential; poetry is intimately connected to life. We have to be very demanding when it comes to poetry. Not all kinds of poetry can fulfill these demands. Poetry must replace certain inadequate forms and be objective; we should select a new standard of poetry that meets these requirements.

3) According to Arnold, what is high standard and strict judgment?

Arnold realizes that many aspects of society are disappearing — in fact, religion and education are among those that are in decline. We must remedy this through poetry. We have to compare contemporary poetry with the work of the masters of the past and hold poetry to a high standard and a strict judgment so it can fulfill its consoling and sustaining role.

Original passage and student responses have been preserved and corrected for spelling, grammar, and clarity while retaining the author's intent and content.