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About this quote

What does it mean?
Arnold labels Lord Macaulay as the leading representative of the Philistines, implying he embodies cultural narrowness.
In plain terms
Macaulay is seen as the main example of uncultured or narrow-minded people.
What can you take from it?
Certain figures are identified as symbols of cultural conformity or lack of refinement.

Where it applies

  • literary criticism
  • cultural commentary
  • historical figures

Putting it to work

  • analyzing cultural critics
  • discussing social labels

Questions to consider

  • Who defines cultural narrowness?
  • Is labeling others helpful or harmful?

Another view

The term Philistines is subjective and depends on the speaker's definition of culture.

More from Matthew Arnold

  1. On the breast of that huge Mississippi of falsehood called History, a foam-bell more or less is no consequence.

    Permalink to quote #85
  2. Are ye too changed, ye hills? See, 'tis no foot of unfamiliar men> Tonight from Oxford up your pathway strays! Here came I often, often, in old days; Thyrsis a…

    Permalink to quote #87
  3. Philistine must have originally meant, in the mind of those who invented the nickname, a strong, dogged, unenlightened opponent of the children of the light.

    Permalink to quote #84

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