Culture and Anarchy: An Essay in Political and Social Criticism

Arnold defines “Anarchy” as the antithesis of true culture. For Arnold, anarchy occurs when there is a lack of order and authority, and he warns that a state of disorder can often lead to chaos and violence in both social and cultural spheres. Arnold attributes anarchic impulses to the “multitudinous, turbulent, and blind impulses of our ordinary selves” (419), which stands in marked contrast to the “best self” (253, emphasis Arnold’s) that true culture fosters. Arnold’s fear of anarchy is a defining characteristic of his political beliefs, leading him to argue for the importance of a strong state power while also denouncing demonstrations and mass movements.

Arnold uses the word “Barbarian(s)” to refer to members of the British aristocracy. Arnold defines traditional aristocratic culture as superficial, arguing that it contains “all the exterior graces and accomplishments” (268) but that its “charming gifts” (269) lack “soul” (269, emphasis Arnold’s). For Arnold, aristocratic values (such as gentility and splendor) and activities (such as hunting and dancing) may not be bad in and of themselves, but he claims that they are limited in their utility, as they do not foster the deep thinking and pursuit of perfection inherent in the “sweetness and light” of true culture.