Of English Pdf — Terry Eagleton The Rise

In the Victorian era, as scientific advancements caused a decline in religious faith, the ruling class faced a problem: how do you maintain social order without the moral authority of the Church? Eagleton explains that English literature was drafted to fill this spiritual void.

Eagleton’s central thesis is that the rise of English as an academic discipline was a pure, intellectual pursuit of beauty or truth. Instead, it was a political project designed to heal a fractured society. Terry eagleton the rise of english pdf

Eagleton contends that the study of English literature became a way for the rising middle class to assert its cultural authority and challenge the dominant position of classical literature and languages. He also highlights the role of key figures such as Matthew Arnold, F.R. Leavis, and I.A. Richards in shaping the discipline and establishing English studies as a respected field of academic inquiry. In the Victorian era, as scientific advancements caused