Matthew Arnold
📘 About This Book
The two sides of Matthew Arnold's literary achievement--the celebrated verse and prose --are brought together in this single volume. Arnold's major poems, "Stanzas from the Grande Chartreuse," the love poems in the "Switzerland" and "Faded Leaves" sequences, several narrative poems, and his major elegies are found in part one of this volume. The prose selections in part two, arranged in chronological order of composition, span Arnold's entire writing career, beginning with several lively letters from his early correspondence with Arthur Hugh Clough, to his very last essay, "Civilization in the United States." Throughout both the poetry and prose is heard the unmistakable voice of a man whom E.M. Forster aptly described as "a great poet, a civilized citizen, and a prophet."
📖 Summary
This comprehensive 1986 volume brings together the dual pillars of Matthew Arnold's distinguished literary achievement, expertly uniting his celebrated verse and his influential prose within a single, expansive collection. Spanning 656 pages, the book offers readers a profound exploration of an author whom E.M. Forster aptly characterized as a great poet, a civilized citizen, and a prophet. Part one of the volume is dedicated to Arnold's major poems, showcasing the lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and intellectual rigor that defined his poetic career. Readers will find treasured works such as the deeply contemplative Stanzas from the Grande Chartreuse, the poignant romantic reflections found within the Switzerland and Faded Leaves lyric sequences, several compelling narrative poems, and his moving major elegies. These poetic selections reveal an artist wrestling with the spiritual doubts, cultural shifts, and philosophical questionings of the nineteenth century, always seeking enduring truths amidst a rapidly changing world. Part two shifts focus to Arnold's formidable prose selections, arranged in meticulous chronological order to chart the full evolution of his writing life. This journey begins with lively, revealing letters from his early correspondence with Arthur Hugh Clough, providing intimate glimpses into the development of his critical faculties and worldview. The prose selection continues across his career, capturing his astute cultural commentary and literary criticism, and culminates appropriately with his very last essay, Civilization in the United States. Together, the poetry and the prose create a harmonious dialogue, allowing the reader to trace the consistent, unmistakable voice of a thinker deeply concerned with the health of civilization, the elevation of human culture, and the power of literature to ennoble the soul. By gathering these diverse genres into one definitive collection, the book serves as an indispensable resource for anyone wishing to understand the full spectrum of Arnold's genius, offering a masterclass in both creative expression and critical thought.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Unites both verse and prose in one convenient volume.
Traces the chronological evolution of Arnold's prose career.
Includes famous poetic sequences like Switzerland and Faded Leaves.
Features insightful early correspondence with Arthur Hugh Clough.
⚠️ Cons
The substantial page count may intimidate casual readers.
Focuses exclusively on a single author's output.
❓ FAQ
What does this volume include? +
It includes both the major poems and the prose selections of Matthew Arnold in a single book.
How is the poetry section organized? +
The first part features major poems, including the Grande Chartreuse stanzas, love sequences, narrative poems, and elegies.
What is covered in the prose section? +
The prose spans Arnold's entire career chronologically, from early letters to Clough to his final essay.
When was this book published? +
This collection was published in 1986.
How many pages are in the book? +
The volume contains 656 pages.
