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Cultural Conservatism: Arnold & Leavis

The document discusses conservative theorists on culture and the rise of mass culture during industrialization. M. Arnold and F.R. Leavis were British cultural critics who argued that industrialization led to the rise of an inauthentic mass culture that alienated folk culture. Arnold believed the solution was to educate the masses, while Leavis felt fine living depended on cultural context. The main arguments discussed are that conservative theorists viewed society as elitist, with high culture being absolutely defined and commerce threatening culture. High culture involved art and intellectual thought appreciated by few, while low culture was mundane entertainment for the uneducated masses.

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63 views2 pages

Cultural Conservatism: Arnold & Leavis

The document discusses conservative theorists on culture and the rise of mass culture during industrialization. M. Arnold and F.R. Leavis were British cultural critics who argued that industrialization led to the rise of an inauthentic mass culture that alienated folk culture. Arnold believed the solution was to educate the masses, while Leavis felt fine living depended on cultural context. The main arguments discussed are that conservative theorists viewed society as elitist, with high culture being absolutely defined and commerce threatening culture. High culture involved art and intellectual thought appreciated by few, while low culture was mundane entertainment for the uneducated masses.

Uploaded by

robbie_delavega7000
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Socio105: L3

Conservative Theorists:

M. Arnold 1822-1888, British poet/cultural critic


Culture and Anarchy

F.R. Leavis 1895-1978, British literary critic


Mass Civilization and Minority Culture 1930

Historical Background:

Pre Industrial Society:

Involves 2 forms of culture: Authentic (minority), Common Folk (majority of people in


European society) and Folk people. Typically involves a ‘lived culture’

Industrialisation:

Rising of mass-production of media resources. There is a need for the masses to be


educated in order to work in this cultural period. Thus, the folk culture feel alienated
due to the rapidly rising mass culture which is dubbed as an inauthentic culture
which causes a discrimination between the authentic and folk culture.

Definitions of Culture: Arnold vs Leavis

Arnold: the best which has been thought and said. Profit gaining as opposed to the
future of society and thus, the solution would be to educate the mass culture.

Leavis: the discerning appreciation of art and literature depends in the language, the
changing idiom upon which fine living depends, and without which distinction of spirit
is thwarted and incoherent. Cultural context

Main Arguments:

Cultural Conservatism: Considered as the elitist society

High Culture = absolute, objectively defined

Making cultural accessible involves effort and expense which leads to falling
standards.

The privileged few have access to quality education and culture

Commerce is the threat to culture


Cultural: High and Low

High Culture: Culture involving art, literature, music and intellectual thought which
few can create or even appreciate…

Low Culture: Mediocre, dull and mundane entertainment by uneducated individuals

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