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B. But superior to them in ampler body of power

ful work.

V. His superior power is found in

A. His noble and profound application of ideas to

life;

B. His unique and unmatchable style. VI. Summary.

IO

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III.

WORDSWORTH..

BY MATTHEW ARNOLD.

I. Wordsworth is unpopular.

A. At home,

a. In his lifetime he was but little read;
b. Since his death his fame has scarcely grown;

B. The Continent, which has

a. Recognized the glory of Newton and Darwin, b. Does not know Wordsworth;

c. Yet the Continental critics long failed to do
justice to Shakespeare and Milton.

II. Notwithstanding Wordsworth's unpopularity, he is,
A. After Shakespeare and Milton, the greatest

English poet. For, in power, in interest, in
the qualities which give enduring freshness,
he is superior to all the others;

B. Except Goethe, the greatest European poet
since Molière. For, in real poetic achieve
ment, he ranks above the leading poets of
a. Germany,

b. Italy,

c. France.

III. This greatness most readers fail to perceive, be

cause:

A. His poems of greatest bulk are by no means his best;

B. His good pieces are mingled with a mass of 5 inferior ones, which destroy the effect;

C. He has classified his poems in an unsatisfactory fashion.

IV. Well arranged selections would show him,

A. Not by comparison of single pieces, superior 10 to the best of the later

a. English poets,

b. Or Continental poets;

B. But superior to them in ampler body of power

ful work.

V. His superior power is found in

A. His noble and profound application of ideas to

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a. Poetry is at bottom a criticism of life from

the point of view of morals;

b. A poetry of revolt against moral ideas is a poetry of revolt against life;

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c. Though other poets revolt against moral ideas, or are content with subordinate things, Wordsworth criticises life accord- 25 ing to moral ideas.

B. His style, which is

a. Often ponderous and pompous,

b. Yet often has the subtle turn and heighten

ing of the best poets;

c. It has also a noble plainness, like that of

30

Burns.

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20

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d. In spite of these suggestions of the style of other poets, Wordsworth's style is, nevertheless, unique and unmatchable.

VI. Summary.

IV.

WORDSWORTH.

BY MATTHEW ARNOLD.

I. Wordsworth is unpopular.

A. At home,

a. In his lifetime,

1. His poetry sold poorly;

2. The public was slow to recognize him; 3. He was effaced by Scott and Byron; 4. He was overshadowed by Tennyson. b. Since his death,

1. Coleridge's influence, which once told strongly in his favor, has waned;

2. In spite of Wordsworth's able eulogists, the public has remained cold.

B. The Continent, which has

a. Recognized the glory of Newton and Darwin b. Does not know Wordsworth;

c. Yet Continental critics long failed to do justice to Shakespeare and Milton.

II. Notwithstanding Wordsworth's unpopularity, he is, A. After Shakespeare and Milton, the greatest English poet. For in power, in interest, in the qualities which give enduring freshness, he is superior to Spenser, Dryden, Pope, Gray, Goldsmith, Cowper, Burns, Coleridge,

III. This greatness most readers fail to perceive, be

cause:

A. His poems of greatest bulk are by no means his best;

B. His good pieces are mingled with a mass of 5 inferior ones, which destroy the effect;

C. He has classified his poems in an unsatisfactory fashion.

IV. Well arranged selections would show him,

A. Not by comparison of single pieces, superior 10 to the best of the later

a. English poets,

b. Or Continental poets;

B. But superior to them in ampler body of power

ful work.

V. His superior power is found in

A. His noble and profound application of ideas to

[blocks in formation]

a. Poetry is at bottom a criticism of life from

the point of view of morals;

b. A poetry of revolt against moral ideas is a poetry of revolt against life;

15

20

c. Though other poets revolt against moral ideas, or are content with subordinate things, Wordsworth criticises life accord- 25 ing to moral ideas.

B. His style, which is

a. Often ponderous and pompous,

b. Yet often has the subtle turn and heighten

ing of the best poets;

c. It has also a noble plainness, like that of

30

Burns.

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d. In spite of these suggestions of the style of other poets, Wordsworth's style is, nevertheless, unique and unmatchable.

VI. Summary.

IV.

WORDSWORTH.

BY MATTHEW ARNOLD.

I. Wordsworth is unpopular.

A. At home,

a. In his lifetime,

1. His poetry sold poorly;

2. The public was slow to recognize him; 3. He was effaced by Scott and Byron; 4. He was overshadowed by Tennyson. b. Since his death,

1. Coleridge's influence, which once told strongly in his favor, has waned;

2. In spite of Wordsworth's able eulogists, the public has remained cold.

B. The Continent, which has

a. Recognized the glory of Newton and Darwin b. Does not know Wordsworth;

c. Yet Continental critics long failed to do justice to Shakespeare and Milton. II. Notwithstanding Wordsworth's unpopularity, he is, A. After Shakespeare and Milton, the greatest

English poet. For in power, in interest, in the qualities which give enduring freshness, he is superior to Spenser, Dryden, Pope, Gray, Goldsmith, Cowper, Burns, Coleridge,

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