The Literary Influence of Academies

Matthew Arnold's essay "The Literary Influence of Academies" critiques the "note of provinciality" in English literature, arguing that a lack of a central authority for correct taste and knowledge hinders its development. He contrasts this with continental European academies, suggesting they provide a necessary standard. Arnold, a Victorian poet and critic, advocated for "culture" as a means to combat the "anarchy" of Victorian society, which he divided into "Barbarians," "Philistines," and the "Populace". He believed that by educating and humanizing the influential "Philistines," society could achieve a better "best self" through the idea of the State. Arnold's work emphasized the importance of criticism in disseminating the best ideas and seeing things as they truly are.123