Mathew Arnold

Matthew Arnold (24 December 1822 – 15 April 1888) was an English poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator. Matthew Arnold has been characterised as a sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues.

1. Write about the one idea of Mathew Arnold which you find interesting and relevant in our time. 

Ans.  'A study of poetry ' is a critical essay by Mathew Arnold. He gives definition of poetry that " Poetry is the criticism of life " .   It is true that poet is critic of life and this definition is a very relevant in our times 
He also discussed the idea of disinterested or detachment.  . Mathew Arnold  says that the critic must be absolutely impartial without any prejudice or bias against or in favor of any particular author. Disinterested on the part of the critic implies freedom from all the prejudice,  personal and historical . 

2. Write about one idea of Mathew Arnold which you find out of date and irrelevant in our time. 

Ans.  Mathew Arnold 's idea about " Touch - Stone  Method "  is out of date and irrelevant in our time because Arnold's touchstone method is a comparative method of criticism.  According to this method is comparison and analysis as two primary tools for judging individual poet. Even a single  line or selected quotation will serve the purpose, if the other works moves us in the same way as these lines and expression do, then it is a great work otherwise not. so it is not appropriate in present time and it is not appropriate way to passing judgement on the bases of comparison with others because time and situation are keep changing.