Preserving the Faith: An Argument Between Matthew Arnold and T.S. Eliot

Abstract

Focuses on Eliot’s reaction to Arnold’s religious writings. Claims Eliot took issue with Arnold’s ideas about the core of Christianity. Arnold saw himself performing a rescue operation, saving Christianity from extraneous rituals and beliefs that had obscured the essential lessons for living that Jesus had taught. Eliot argues that dogma is essential to Christianity; an orthodox and often reactionary believer, Eliot thought that only by accepting dogma could people understand human nature. Concludes that Eliot found Arnold too optimistic about humankind’s ability to achieve perfection without the help of the Creator.