Thinking activity on I.A Richards: The figurative language

I.A Richards bring revolution in  the theory of practical Criticism. He thinks in different manner. He was best known for his series of experiment in his university. In this experiment he gives a poem to his students without telling them about the poet and all the background history. His main theme behind this is to make students aware about the concept of poem not poet. He wants that students should focus upon the material and understand in much better way without any prior knowledge.

Here I am going to talk about one of the famous poem which I studied in B.A level and the difficulty which I faced when I read that poem.

Anecdote of the Jar

By Wallace Steven

I placed a jar in Tennessee,   

And round it was, upon a hill.   

It made the slovenly wilderness   

Surround that hill.

The wilderness rose up to it,

And sprawled around, no longer wild.   

The jar was round upon the ground   

And tall and of a port in air.

It took dominion everywhere.   

The jar was gray and bare.

It did not give of bird or bush,   

Like nothing else in Tennessee.

Misunderstanding

    When I read this poem first time, I was put into trouble that what this poem is talking about. I am unable to think that what message this poem wants to convey. As this was absurd work of poet we only thinks of absurdity, and didn't  think outside it. The very first line brings misunderstanding when we read Tennessee, the place which we never saw in our life. We automatically put in difficulty to understand the concept of poem.

Tone of poem

    I.A Richards when speaks about the meaning of poetry he describes four things, that is sense, feeling tone and Intention. Tone means the language used by poet in poem. In this poem we find difficulty in understanding the tone.

Intention

   The intention speaks about the writers aim which may be conscious and unconscious. When we read this poem we thinks that the poet may be in unconscious state of mind, because what he wants to say by putting the imagery of jar is difficult to understand. The jar which was described in this poem is not usual jar which we think, It personifies something.

    In this way the figurative language used by the poet cannot be easily understood, we have to do experiment on it to understand the language.

Screening of Sense and Sensibility

Today in our department there is  film screening of Sense and Sensibility which was originally written by Jane Austen. The film was directed by Ang Lee. The basic theme in Jane Austen novel is family problem, love, marriage and there is always someone present for match making.

Match maker

In Sense and Sensibility there is one match maker Mrs Jenning who always engage in making couples. Similarly in Emma also we see Emma the protagonist who engage in making couples. In sense and sensibility Mrs Jenning thinks that Colonel Brandon was perfect match for Marianne and she also proves right in the end of  when both got married.

 Role of Margaret

Margaret plays important role in film and it seems that she loves nature and also used to stay in tree house. She is the youngest sister of Elinor and Marianne. In film Margaret act as a supporter in meeting of her sister with their beloved. For eg. when Marianne and Margaret went outside in rain, Marianne leg got fractured and there is no one to help then Willoughby arrived and help Marianne, from then their love affair begun. Similarly when Edward arrives in the house of Dashwood, he helps Elinor to find Margaret. In this way their Elinor and Edward becomes friend. In short Margaret was present in the beginning of love affair of both her elder sister.

Intertextuality

In film two times we saw the elements of intertextuality. The first is Shakespearean Sonnet no. xiv which describes the height of love, Marianne speaks about the height of love but in real it is all about Shallowness of love because we know that Willoghby was not perfect match for Marianne. The second time Willoghby speaks the line;

"Frailty thy name is Brandon"

Originally this line is taken from 'Hamlet' in which Hamlet show his anger towards his mother by speaking this line- "Frailty thy name is woman". In this context Willoghby doesn't like Colonel Brandon and therefore speak this line.

Sense and Sensibility

The sense was represent by the character of Elinor who is very much reasonable. She always thinks with logic. In the whole film she controls her emotions. But in last she cried out loudly in front of Edward when she come to know that Edward was not married with Miss Steele. In this way she learns something from her younger sister Marrianne, she learns that sometimes it becomes important to express our feelings.

One the other hand sensibility was represent by the character of Marianne. She was very much emotional and always express her feelings immediately without thinking logically. But in the end she learns something from her elder sister that she has to accept her fate, situation. In life both sense and sensibility is important, to make balance between both the term is required to live life happily.

Land of spices

Colonel Brandon was earlier working in east Indies. He described India as a land of spices. It means the time during this novel was written, India may be known as a great land of spices. It is known for its richness in spices which were not commonly found in any other part of the world.

Mannerism

We can see that in film elder gives privacy to their children. Mrs Dashwood also does the same, when her daughter Elinor was with Edward in last scene she left her alone to talk. we also see act of ignorance  by the character of Mr. Thomas Palmer as when her wife was talking with him he was reading newspaper and doesn't keep attention towards the gossip of his wife. In this way we find different type of mannerism in film.

Catharsis 

We feel catharsis in the film when Marianne was heartbroken by Willoghby and she went to that place where she met Willoghby first time and cried a lot. We feel pity for her but when she again saved by Colonel Barton we feel satisfied that finally she got the right partner.

 Overall the film screening helps a lot in remembering the names of characters and each incidents. The all characters in the film justified their action. Director also chooses the perfect place for shooting, the scenery was beautuful. But the Director doesn't follow the unity of place in film, the scenes are shoot at different place which are far away. Jane Austen was feminist writer and she presents female as the protagonist. There is  happy ending in her novel which amused the readers.

Trekking to Piram Bet Island

Piram Bet

Piram Bet is an island in Gulf of Cambay of Arabian sea. It is near Ghogha in Bhavnagar.It is very famous for the farming of Bajra. There are total 4 water well and the water is salty.This area is come under red zone. The crab of Piram are very famous and even we can see Jelly fish and Dolphin there. Every year our Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University organise Trekking separately for girls and boys to Piram Bet. This time I am lucky enough that I get a chance to go in this trekking. This Trekking helps us to saw the enormous beauty of an island very closely. This island possesses natural beauty as well as historical beauty. The island was once ruled by brave king Mokhdaji Gohil who fought against Muhammad bin Tughlaq and he was wounded in the battle but continued to fight with Sultan's army. He was beheaded in the battle.

Lighthouse of Piram Bet

The lighthouse is about 1.5 km by walk from the landing point. There we went after taking breakfast. Our sir describe the importance of Lighthouse. He says that it throws light in nearby area, maximum 36 km from it the area get its reflection. In this way it gives direction in night. It was almost barren island.

 What does 'Trekking' real means

Whenever we go for any type of trekking, it doesn't only mean that to have lots of fun. There we have to do some work also. That's all we do today in our trekking. we collected garbage from everywhere. It was very shameful act that many people throws garbage, plastic bags here and there. They are destroying the real beauty of nature. These type of careless people are meant for nothing. If someone cannot treat nature with healthy intention as there then the nature will also act against them, against mankind in form of disaster.

Trekking guide- Respected Vasudevsinh Sarvaiya sir

Our trekking Vasudevsinh sir is very kind and helpul. Sir is very healthy and always in action, more active than us. We also go through mud during trekking and sir is walking very smoothly as like he is walking on road, into the mud. We are very much motivated by sir's spirit.

Vice Chancellor- Saileshsinh Zala

Vice chancellor of our university also came with us for trekking. When we talk to him, we find that he is very friendly to us. When sir come to know that we are from  English department, he praised a lot that we are lucky enough to have Dilip Barad sir as our head of Department. Dilip sir is always active and ready to teach anytime without neglecting us.

Remembering the novel Robinson crusoe by Daniel defoe

Whenever I study about adventurous story, I was struck by an Idea that why the people doing these type of adventure to barren island. But when I saw Piram Bet an interesting and beautiful place I get answer itself. Who in this world don't want peace and natural beauty in life. The natural scene of Piram Bet provide us inner peace and we desire to stay there just like Crusoe who stayed a long in an unknown island far away from all type of noise, polution, traffic etc.

Overall todays trekking is awesome with lots of fun and doing adventures task like going through mud, making paths in between bushes, knowing the history of Piram Bet. When we are returning from island in a boat we saw Dolphin also. Such an adventure will remain in our mind for lifetime. I am thankful to Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji University who gives us chance of going to such type of trekking without cost.

Frankenstein : Thinking Activity

Thinking Activity On Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Q1- What are some major difference between movie and the novel Frankenstein?

Difference:-
1. In book Victor himself destroy the lady Monster which he created for his male monster. The monster desired for companion or partner and he wants Victor to create a partner for him. But when Victor thinks about the the disastrous effect that if both these monster becomes evil and started killing people then it would be danger for society and that's why he destroyed.
In film Lady monster was not destroy by Victor. She herself commit suicide and ends her life.

2- In book Monster take revenge against the whole society, but in film the Monster only wants to take revenge against Victor and his family and therefore he started killing the family members of Victor one by one.

3- In book when Henry was become ill after his creation of monster, Henry take care of him till he was regain his health and then afterwards both went to the house of Victor. But in film both Elizabeth and Henry are present to cure Victor.

Q2- Did this movie by Kenneth Branagh help you in understanding the plot of the novel?

Yes this movie helps a lot in understanding the novel in better way. The process of creating monster was very well presented by Kenneth Branagh in his film. we could easily get the whole plot in 2 hour of screening of this film. The each and every incident were chronologically arranged from the morality of monster and Frankenstein till the loss of their moral values at the climax of the film when both decided to take revenge. In film there is one line spoken by Frankenstein when his mother died:-

"You should never have died, no one need ever died" 

After the death of his mother Victor decided to bring life in dead ones  through his scientific knowledge so that in the world ever died. His intention to make creature is only to serve humanity but it turns out to the worst creation which he ever think. It was very ugly and monster by the treatment given by society. Over all the film helps a lot to connect all the incidents of the novel.

Q3- Who do you think is real monster?

In my opinion Victor was a real monster of the novel. He possesses many qualities which reflects his evilness. The first cruel thing he did is neglecting his own creation. He abandoned the creature all alone and flees away. Victor get scared by the ugly look of creature. He represent as a careless father who escape from responsibility. As a creator of the creature he had to take care of him but he didn't. When the creature desire for partner then Victor neglected to create because he thinks of negative aspects that both these monsters were dangerous for society. he didn't even think once about the feeling of creature who wants to be loved by someone. Therefore Victor proved to be a real monster and the creature who seems like monster by his look is not really monster, he was pure from heart only but when he was ill-treated by society, he decide to take revenge against humanity and started hating peoples, specially his own creator Victor.

Q4- From where Mary Shelley get the idea for the novel Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley was in competition with other writers such as Byron, Polidori and her own husband P.B Shelley. They decided to write ghost story. Mary Shelley had a bad dream and get horrified by an idea that a scientist is bringing life to dead ones and she decided to make his dream a better piece of work of art to give perfect competition of writing horror story to her competitors Byron and Polidgori and therefore she write Frankenstein.

Q5- Do you think the search for the knowledge is dangerous and destructive?

No I don't think that the search for the knowledge is dangerous and destructive. In modern Renaissance period search for the knowledge is proved to be great achievement of person. There are many example of people whose quest for knowledge never decreases and they are in much higher position than ordinary people. For eg. our great scientist A.P.J Abdul kalam was very famous for his great discoveries and known as Missile man of India. He never leave his quest for knowledge and from ordinary family he became the 11th president of India. The time during which this novel written was not that of Renaissance spirit. There is fear of God reflected that whenever a person tries to go beyond his limit he will be punished. Hence Frankenstein meets his tragic doom at last of the novel.

Q6- What are some myths used by Mary Shelley in the Frankenstein?

There are many myths used by Mary Shelley in Frankenstein:-

1- The Myth of Prometheus
Mary Shelley used the myth of Prometheus in her novel. The subtitle of the novel is 'The modern Prometheus'. Victor Frankenstein posses the same quality as Prometheus. Both wants to help mankind but get punished at the end. Prometheus stolen fire from Heaven and Zeus the chief of all God get angered and punished Zeus. Victor created a creature with intention to help mankind that no one ever died. He brings life to dead ones but he fails because his own creation turns out to be evil. Hence Victor also meets his tragic doom at last of the novel.

2- Myth from Bible
The way God created humans, Victor also tried to make his own creation. Therefore Victor becomes God or creator of monster, by bringing life to dead.

3- Myth of Narcissus
Narcissus was very much egoist, selfish person. He has proud of his beauty and always keep on looking his own reflection in river. He also rejected the proposal of Echo. Similarly Frankenstein was also very much selfish and has power of his knowledge. He thinks that he can do anything in this world. Therefore selfishness itself called Narcissum. The monster was reflection of Victor and at last Victor's excessive pride leads to his own downfall.

Q7- Write about the narratology of Frankenstein?

Frankenstein is written from first person point of view. However there are three narrators in novel Frankenstein. Th first is Walton who is narrating the story in form of letter to his sister Saville. The second narrator is Victor Frankenstein who narrated his own story to Walton. The third one is Monster the creation of Victor. This novel is structred as Frame narrative. There are three stories within the story. Walton's, Victor's and Monster's story. By multiple narrator we can think about the different possible aspects of the novel. By listening to different point of view we can judge the character that who is good and who is bad. The novel begins from the climax seen when Victor was thinking to destroy his own creation. Every story has beginning, middle and end. Story remains same but the pattern of the story is different. Frankenstein is can be said as an epistolary novel because it was written in the form of lettter by Walton to his sister. 

Real Monster in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Who Is the real 'Monster' in the novel Frankenstein?

Victor Frankenstein with  monstrous quality 

1- Crossed Limit
Victor Frankenstein crossed his limit of science. In science there is always limit of discoveries, what to discover and what not. Victor was warned by his professor to not bring life into the dead ones. But Victor didn't follow his warnings and created monster

2-Over ambitious
Victor was over ambitious in his nature which leads to his own downfall. Just like Doctor Faustus, he was too much proudy. He has proud on his knowledge that he can do anything which he desire. Therefore he created Monster by going against the rules.

3-Abandoned Monster
Victor was the creator of Monster, but after creating monster he flees away. He himself get scared of his own creation. He never think ones about monster that who take care of his creation and he selfishly run away to save his own life. He also didn't think twice about society who may suffer because of his evil cration.

4-Careless Father 
Because Victor was the creator, he was like fatherly figure to monster. Victor runs away from his responsibility. Monster was just like an infant who didn't know anything about the world and need someone who teach  him everything. Parents never get afraid of their own child, but there the situation was different. Victor know very well that he created monster by taking body parts from different dead bodies, so it was obvious that it looks scary. But still he take back step.

5-Neglect to create Female monster
Monster was all alone in this world, there is no one who loves him. Therefore Monster demanded companion to Victor. Victor knows the importance of wife, but still he didn't think once by keeping himself on monster's side. He first started creating Lady Monster but later he get horrified with negative idea that what will happen if Lady monster also become evil and therefore destroy his creation. He didn't think upon other side of coin.

6-Responsible for the deaths
Victor was responsible for the death of Justine, who was nanny of his younger brother William. Monster killed William and the people suspected on Justine that she was responsible for William's death. Victor knows that Monster was responsible for this murder but still he didn't save the life of Justine,  because he thinks that no one believes on his creation, and remained silent. Afterwards when Monster demanded Lady monster, he neglect to create and as a result Monster killed Elizabeth. In this way Victor was responsible for the deaths of his own family members.

 Monster with humanly Quality

1-Basically Good
Despite his intentions, Victor's creation was ugly instead of beautiful. Monster was hideous with yellow eyes and skin that barely conceal the muscle tissue and blood vessels underneath. But still Monster was basically good from heart. He has humanly qualities of emotions, pity etc.

2-Learnt to speak
Monster himself learns to speak the language of humans. He educated himself by learning Paradise lost and by listening the family talk of De-Lacey's family. Monster also communicate with the blind De-Lacey.

3-Trying to make friend
Monster feels alone and he wanted someone with whom he can converse. He find poor De-Lacey's family and there he lived in hidden way. He meets De-Lacey and finds him very kind and good by nature. He thinks that he can make friendship with him. De-Lacey was blind and he cannot see the ugliness of monster and therefore he communicate with him without fear.

4-Desire for partner
Monster also desired for a partner with whom he can live happily. He wants someone who loves him by ignoring his evil look. He went to Victor and demanded a lady monster but Victor didn't fulfill his demand. As a result Monster enraged and killed Elizabeth, who is the wife of Victor.

5- Leave the world
In last Monster destroyed himself with fire. He feels guilty for all the sin he did. He feels that there is no existence in the world without his master. When he find the dead body of Victor he started crying, he couldn't apologize for what he has done. Then the monster decided to leave the world by creamted himself with the dead body of Victor.


Conclusion
In this way Victor was the real Monster in the novel. He doesn't seems as like monster with look but with heart he possesses the quality of monster. On the other hand the creature was look vise monster but not possesses monstrous quality from heart.




 

T.S Eliot : Tradition and Individual talent

Thinking Activity on T.S. Eliot's Essay 'Tradition and Individual talent'

Q1- How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of tradition? Do you agree with it.

Yes I am agree with the definiton of tradition given by Eliot because he gives very effective and modern definition. Eliot explains the concept of Tradition in a modern way. He gives positive meaning to the word Tradition. He says that the poet or a writer should have to fit in Tradition rather than just imitation of tradition. he also says that Tradition is not inherited, it must be acquired with great labor.

Q2- What do you understand by Historical sense?

Eliot goes further in explaining the concept of tradition with the use of Historical sense. There is quote from his essay on historical sense

"The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence"

It means one must have to think about the present in the work of art. It involves perception of the presence of the past not only its pastness. Only to recall dates and names of famous historical figures is not perception. He further use the words 'timelessness' and 'temporal'. Timelessness in the sense that work of art doesn't have its past and present. Temporal means it still exist or present in modern times. It is a living monument not dead one.

Q3- What is the relationship between Tradition and Individual talent?

T.S Eliot relate the concept of Tradition with Individual talent. Eliot says that Tradition comes from hard work, it was not a thing of inheritance. There required Individual talent of the poet or artist. He also speaks up on Shakespeare's talent i.e. he borrows materials from past in a different way and from that difference new Tradition was begin by breaking all the rules. Shakespeare re-adjust himself for living in present. He doesn;t only seeks pastness of the past, but of its presence.

Q4- Explain: " some can absorb knowledge, the more tardy must sweat for it. Shakespeare acuired more essential history from Plutarch than most men could from the whole museum"

This line speaks about the genius of Shakespeare that he becomes popular only by reading Plutarch's life. Whereas many writers didn't get that fame even if they read the entire museum of books in British. This was a satirical quote. Shakespeare becomes an exception in T.S Eliot's essay. Shakespeare lived through his age or we can say that he absorbed his entire age in his work of art which makes him great creative writer.

Q5- Explain: " Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon poet but upon the poetry"

In this Quote Eliot puts his great emphasis on the work of art rather than on artist. He says that a critic must be honest or impartial in his treatment. there is no need to know the entire biography about the poet to criticize his poetry. Wide reading of the text is important rather than relying upon the life history of artist.

Q6- How would you like to explain Eliot's theory of Depersonalization?

Eliot gives very effective theory of depersonalization to introduce great artist. Means in this theory he speaks about what quality a great artist. He relates his work with the science by giving a chemical reaction. Eliot says that to form Sulfuric acid there need Sulfuric dioxide and water, and it works with the catalyst Platinum. Without Platinum it was impossible to complete this reaction or formation of Sulfuric acid. When Sulfuric acid made, we find no presence of platinum in it. That's what T.S Eliot wants to say that a writer have their own feelings and emotions when he sits to write his work of art. But these emotions and feelings should not be reflected in his masterpiece. Eliot feels like there is need to keep distance between the poet's suffering and his work. Therefore he gives the idea of Depersonalization i.e. an escape from personal emotions or feelings.

Q7- Explain: " Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality"

This Quote represent the idea of Depersonalization. Through this Quote Eliot wants to say that a poet should remain detach or aloof from his emotions whenever he created work of  art. In his work there should not be any type of reflection of his feelings. Poetry is not about expression of personality, but is is about an escape from personality. Eliot says that even if our emotion are present in inner it must be put in hidden way and there is no need to put our emotion in outer work. Then only a poet becomes a perfect artist or genius.

Q8- Write two points on which one can write Critique on T.S Eliot as a critic.

A) T.S Eliot gives short and effective definition on tradition. He thinks about Tradition in modern way. To describe Tradition Eliot gives three points:-
          a) not inherited but acquired with hard labor.
          b)Historical sense, not only of the pastness of past but of its presence.
          c)Timelessness and temporal.
B) Idea of depersonalization- Eliot feels that there needs to keep distance between the suffering of poet and his creative work. The poet must have to escape from his emotions.

Screening of Frankenstein movie

Today there was film screening in our department, Frankenstein directed by Kenneth Branagh. It was based on the book Frankenstein- the modern prometheus written by Marry shelley.
Victor Frankenstein was the protagonist and he discover to bring life in dead ones. With his scientific genius and his curiosity to make dead alive, he successfully created a big powerful monster. In the film he himself get scared with the ugly view of his monster. The monster then lived like an Orphan, the society rejects him and throws stones on him. But still he manage to find shelter in the house of De-Lacey. De-Lacey was blind man and therefore he didn't get scared with the monstrous view. he becomes friend like to Monster and monster can share his conversation with him. But when the son of De-Lacey comes to know about monster living in his house, he left that place with his family and again the monster become alone.

Now the monster decide to take revenge from Frankeinstein because he thinks why he created him, and makes him ugly that he was rejected where ever he goes, society looks at him with hatred. Monster killed william, the younger brother of Victor Frankenstein and at last he also killed his bride Elizabeth. Victor loses everything, his own creation destroy his peace. At last he was also meets his tragic doom. Monster realized that there is no need to live in this world and therefore he also cremated himself with his master or father who brings life to him i.e.Victor.

There is famous line in the film spoken by Victor

"You should never have died, no one need ever died"

This line is spoken when the mother of Victor died. Victor decided that now no one ever died, he brings life to dead ones with his scientific theory. Somehow his intention was good that he wants to serve mankind with his creation, but unfortunately his own discovery becomes hazardous to himself and to society.

Comparison of Frankenstein with Faustus 

We can compare the character of Victor Frankenstein with Doctor Faustus. Both the characters suffered in their life, both have quest for knowledge. Faustus wants to learn more and more and wanted to equate himself with God. His excessive pride leads to his own downfall. Similarly Frankenstein also wants to go beyond his limit, beyond scientific limit. There is always a limit in science that what to discover and what not. But Frankenstein goes against that limit and cross his boundary. Therefore there is Hubris in both the character which was responsible for there tragic end.

Drama Techniques

The director Kenneth Branagh also effectively used the Drama techniques in his film

1- Rising action
In the film when Victor's mother died Victor decided to to make such creation who can change the perspective of the world, he decided to bring back the life of dead ones through energy and electricity. This vary thought of Victor leads to rising action to the film.

2-Climax
When Victor becomes successful in his discovery and finally the dead becomes alive, it brings climax in the film. Victor himself get scared with his own creation.

3-Falling action
When monster get frustrated with society, he decided to take revenge against his creator or maker Frankenstein and this vary act of monster leads towards falling action in the film.

4-Denouement
In the end everything becomes constant, victor realized that he was tired with all this suffering and he knows that he himself was responsible for his plight. He died with grief. Monster then realized that now there is no existence of him without his master or creator and he cremated himself with Victor Frankenstein. That was the end or denouement of the film.

Catharsis
we feel catharsis in the film for the plight of monster when the society beats him cruelly. wherever he goes he was badly beaten by the people. We feel pity for him at that moment. We also feel relaxation or releasing from pity and fear when we saw the friendship between Monster and the blind man De-Lacey, there is satisfaction that monster finds one with whom he can makes conversation.

Kenneth Branagh as a director makes his film very effective with the use of modern techniques. He perfectly shows the whole process of making man or bringing life to dead. He uses trolley for keeping that dead body and also shows the  process of taking electricity from water. There were tiny fishes in large number who bites the dead one and make them alive with their current. As a viewer all were anxious about the process of making monster and Kenneth becomes successful in taking that shot perfectly that satisfied all the viewers.


Conclusion 

Overall it was awesome day with the film screening and we din't felt bored while watching film. It helps a lot to understand the the text in far better way.

     

Matthew Arnold: The Study of Poetry

Q1- Write about one Idea of  Matthew Arnold which you find interesting and relevant in our times.

Matthew Arnold very effectively gives the definition of poetry. He says that "poetry is a criticism of life". This definition is very relevant in our present time also. Whatever writer or a poet write is not simply consider as creative work, it is also a criticism of nature or life, or anything else from where they got their subject to write. As we know that a critic is 'a critic of art' and creative writer is 'a critic of life', means criticism is present in both.
Arnold also speaks about his main principle of Criticism is that of Disinterestedness or Detachment. Arnold say that detachment is very important for judging any work of art, a critic must be detached or disinterested by his nature so that he/she can judge impartially or without any prejudices. We find this great principle of Arnold relevant in present time also because it speaks about the fair judgment of a critic.

Q2- Write about one idea of Matthew Arnold which you found out of date and irrelevant in our times.

The answer is obvious about Matthew Arnold's Touchstone Method, that it is out of date or irrelevant in our present times. According to Touchstone method there is scientific objectivity to critical evaluation by providing comparison and analysis as two primary tools for judging individual poet. This method of judging individual talent is not appropriate in present times because we have to think on the basis of our standpoint also about any work of art, it is not consider as  fair practice that all time we compare the ancient or the writers which we like the most with the other writers for passing judging.Arnold always does this and his ideal poets are Homer and Sophocles in the ancient world. All have their unique talent, it is not necessary that what Virgil or Dante wrote would also be written by Shakespeare or any other modern writer. All are genius in their own way, we have to take our standpoint for making comment on them.
As we know that Plato also criticize the work of poetry on philosophical, moral point of view, he didn't criticize work of art on his own point of view. So his critical work also not relevant in our present time. Similarly Matthew Arnold's Touchstone method for judging individual talent is not relevant in present time.