The Function of Criticism at the Present Time by Matthew Arnold

The Function of Criticism at the Present Time

     Matthew Arnold


                            

This essay by Arnold was published in "Essays in Criticism" in the year 1865. The major point of concern in this essay was the prevailing attitude that creative and constructive capasity is more important than the critical capasity.

Arnold here tries to elaborate on the definition of criticism bt saying that-

"It is the endeavour in all branchies of knowledge, theology, philosophy, history, art, science to see the object as an in it self is realy is."

For creating sometimes, it requires to have the necessary mind set to understand it.

Accroding to Arnold, criticism is all about generating ideas during a specific time and at a specific place. 

According to him any literature can only be generated in the climate of great ideas and in this way.

"Criticism prepares the way for creation."

He further argued that emotional experience in writing criticism and creative work is almost similar. He against the opinion of people who under mind criticism.

Moreover he makes a comparison between Goethe and Byron. According to his both of them had equal creative and productive power. But Goethe had more strong critical view of cultural background. So, he is considered as and rated highly as a better writer than Byron. So, if any poet must have the background knowledge of society then be creative. Criticism not effect with external forces. It is free from all the barriers. It give way to the flow of ideas. Criticism done with full of honestly and it should be done without looking for any ends.

He also believe that criticism as well as important in education because through criticism, understanding of certain aspects with regard to the political, social, and literary understanding is enhanced.

Moreover, he talks about the importance of creativity is more than the importance of criticism. Moving further Arnold talks about the relationship between creative and critical power and focuses on why any literary creation is not possible without criticism?

Answer to this question is that criticism flurished the intellectual ideas. The ideas which are shaped by creativity. So both are interdependence.