Three Estimates by Matthew Arnold
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The document discusses Matthew Arnold's views on poetry criticism as presented in his essay "Three Estimates of Matthew Arnold". Arnold describes three types of estimates used to evaluate poetry: the Real Estimate, which judges a work based solely on its artistic merit; the Historic Estimate, which overvalues a work due to the poet's historical context; and the Personal Estimate, which is swayed by personal biases towards contemporary poets. Arnold advocates for his "touchstone method" to properly analyze poetry by comparing excerpts to established classics and evaluating them based on their highest poetic quality.
Three Estimates by Matthew Arnold
- 1. “Three Estimates of Matthew Arnold” Department of English Port City International University, Chittagong Three Estimates of Matthew Arnold Presented by: Tanni Das
- 2. ‘A Study of Poetry’ | Matthew Arnold “A Study of Poetry” is a critical essay by Matthew Arnold. In this essay Arnold criticizes the art of poetry as well as the art of criticism. He talks about setting our standard for poetry high. We must accustom ourselves to HIGH STANDARD and STRICT JUDGEMENT and there is no place for CHARLATANISM in poetry. Charlatanism is for confusing the difference between excellent and inferior, sound and unsound, true and untrue. So there is no place for charlatanism in poetry. July 24, 2018 2 Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das
- 3. Three Estimates by Matthew Arnold Arnold says that when one reads poetry he tends to estimate whether it is of the best form or not. Arnold tells about three kinds of Estimates and these estimates are related to poetry and its reading. These estimates are: The Real Estimate; The Historic Estimate; and The Personal Estimate July 24, 2018 3Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das
- 4. 1. The Real Estimate Real Estimate is the only true estimate which is not affected by any kind of estimate. It is present in our minds and governs our estimates of what we read. The benefit of Real Estimate is high and it is the benefit of clearly feeling and deeply enjoying the real excellence, the true classic in poetry. Everything depends on the reality of a poet’s Classic Character. Arnold says that if a poet is truly a classic, his poetry will have the reader real pleasure and enable him/her to compare with other poetry which are not the same high standard. July 24, 2018 4Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das
- 5. 2. The Historic Estimate The Historic Estimate places the historic context above the value of the art itself. The Historic and Personal Estimates often overshadows the Real Estimate. But Arnold also says that it is natural. It is fallacious estimate that deals with the poets of past. When we are affected by a poet’s historical background, we may easily consider his poetry of more importance than in reality it is. We must over rate it. So, this this type of fallacy is caused in judgment by Historic Estimate. July 24, 2018 5Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das
- 6. 3. The Personal Estimate It also fallacious estimate that deals with the contemporary poets. Our personal affinities, likings and circumstances have great power to sway our estimate. Due to our personal likings we give more importance to that poetry which does not deserve that much importance. So, second fallacy in our poetic judgment is caused by Personal Estimate. July 24, 2018 6Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das
- 7. Touchstone Method To find which poetry is the best, Matthew Arnold suggests a method known as ‘touchstone method’. This method was introduced into his work “The Study of Poetry”. Purposes of his Method: Select some best lines from the well-known poetry; Compare it with other poets; Define and evaluate with different measurement; and Pass the judgment July 24, 2018 7Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das
- 8. Touchstone Method (Cont’d) Basically, the method is being used to comparing and evaluating. Some model lines from the great masters of the past will be used as touchstones to test new poems. He quotes from Homer, “In his will is our peace”. From Shakespeare, “If though didst ever held me in thy heart/Absent thee from felicity awhile/And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain/To tell my story…” From Milton, “And the courage never to submit or yield/And what is else not to be overcome….” These lines may be different, but there is one thing common in them, “the very highest poetic quality”. These few lines can guide us properly to judge our own and others poems properly. July 24, 2018 8 Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das
- 9. References July 24, 2018 9Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69374/the-study-of- poetry http://learningliteratureoverhere.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-study-of- poetry-matthew-arnold.html https://sites.google.com/site/naineducationcom/literary-theory- and-criticism/an-article-on-arnold-s-the-study-of-poetry http://ebinsliterature.blogspot.com/2016/08/touchstone-method- matthew-arnold.html
- 10. THE FUNCTION OF POETRY is to interpret life for us, to console us, to sustain us. Matthew Arnold | Prepared by Tanni Das If SCIENCE IS APPEARANCE then the POETRY IS EXPRESSION, and there is no appearance without expression. © Disclaimer: The data in this presentation has been collated from various online portal and articles.