ENGL 497Senior Seminar
Prof. G. Steinberg
In "The Function of Criticism at the Present Time," Arnold is talking primarily about criticism rather than about literature. But he also says some significant things about literature along the way. So, as you read the essay, pay close attention when Arnold addresses topics such as the nature and value of literature. The first few pages of the essay, for example, talk about what literature is, and the rest of the essay talks primarily about what is valuable in literature (and how we should go about judging what is valuable in literature).
What, according to Arnold, makes great literature great? How is great literature created? With what elements does a great writer work? What is required to create great literature?
In much of the essay, Arnold talks about how we should judge literature. He says that there is one rule above all that critics should follow in order to judge well. What is the rule that Arnold would have us follow in judging the merits of literature?
Then, move on to the selection from "The Study of Poetry." In "The Study of Poetry," Arnold is again focused on what makes great literature. So, again, what makes great literature great for Arnold? What fundamental value does Arnold see in literature? What makes the best poetry? In terms of substance, matter, style, and manner, what gives the best poetry its distinctively superior quality?
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