Eliot on Arnold: A Reaction

Abstract

Critiques Eliot’s assessment of Arnold at the mid-point of Eliot’s career. Focuses principally on Eliot’s debt to Arnold for his ideas about literary criticism. Believes Eliot is needlessly deprecatory, since many of his ideas have their roots, or at least parallels, in Arnold’s work. Claims Arnold is more clear and definitive than Eliot in stating critical principles; Arnold also had clarity in writing about religion that Eliot neither understands nor practices. Believes it is necessary to understand Arnold’s criticism to fully appreciate Eliot’s, because Eliot is always reacting to Arnold.