On the Art of Reading · Chapter
Lecture VI: On a School of English explained
The narrator examines the establishment of a School of English at Cambridge, arguing that literature cannot be divorced from life, requires personal understanding of authors, and is a living art to be practiced.
What happens
The narrator examines the establishment of a School of English at Cambridge, arguing that literature cannot be divorced from life, requires personal understanding of authors, and is a living art to be practiced. He deconstructs the notion of 'the subject of English Literature' by showing its vast and varied content, and critiques the historical neglect of English studies in favor of classics, while acknowledging the reasoning behind that neglect.
Themes in this chapter
Reading and Life
The chapter argues that literature cannot be divorced from life, requiring background and personal understanding of authors.
Education vs. Examination
The narrator critiques the examination system that treats English literature as a subject separable from its content.
Value of the Classics
The chapter presents the defense of classical education as a reason for the neglect of English studies.
Critique of Modernity
The narrator questions the modern academic treatment of English literature as a detached subject.
Characters to notice
- Chaucer
Cited as an author whose work requires understanding of the background and audience for whom he wrote.
- Donne
Mentioned as a writer whose personal character is essential to understanding his writings.
- Dr. Johnson
Listed among authors whose personal understanding is necessary for grasping their work.
- Charles Lamb
Included in the list of authors whose personal character is key to literary study.
- Carlyle
Mentioned as an author whose personal understanding is required for literary comprehension.
- Milton
Referenced as being possessed with the story of Man's fall, and his early poems are noted as part of English literature studied.
- Shakespeare
His plays are mentioned as part of the limited English literature taught in preparatory schools.
- Bacon
His essays are listed among the texts studied in schools.
Key passages
“That literature cannot be divorced from life: that (for example) you cannot understand Chaucer aright, unless you have the background, unless you know the kind of men for whom Chaucer wrote and the kind of men whom he made speak; that is the national side with which all our literature is concerned.”
Literature is inseparable from life; to truly understand Chaucer, you need to know the historical context and the people he wrote about and for.
First tenet of the School of English scheme.
“Literature being so personal a thing, you cannot understand it until you have some personal understanding of the men who wrote it.”
Because literature is deeply personal, you must grasp the character of the author to comprehend their work.
Second tenet of the School of English scheme.
“That the writing and speaking of English is a living art, to be practised and (if it may be) improved.”
English writing and speech are active crafts that should be practiced and refined.
Third tenet of the School of English scheme.
“In the first place, they would say, 'English Literature is too easy a study.'”
Classical educators argued that English literature is too simple because students are already familiar with the language.
Defense of classical education against English studies.
