"English" was seen as a way of cultivating refined taste and "good manners," which were fundamentally linked to class, thus reinforcing the social hierarchy. 4. The Ideology of "Close Reading"
Eagleton, a Marxist literary theorist, argues that "literature" is not a natural category, but a "production" that changes over time. The chapter argues that the study of English was designed to civilize, unify, and control the population, serving as a substitute for religion in a secularizing society. 2. Main Arguments of "The Rise of English"
Only after it proved successful as an ideological tool in colonial India and domestic colleges did English migrate to Oxford and Cambridge, rebranded as a rigorous academic pursuit to replace the dying classical traditions. 4. Key Figures in the Rise of English
English literature was promoted as a secular replacement. According to Eagleton, literature could cultivate "human values," empathy, and a sense of national pride, effectively distracting the masses from political grievance and class struggle. The Professionalization of "English"
In the 18th century, "literature" was a broad category encompassing philosophy, history, essays, and letters, all of which were seen as reflecting upper-class "good taste". This definition shifted during the of the 19th century, narrowing to focus primarily on imaginative writing, such as poetry and novels. Terry eagleton the rise of english pdf
Divert the proletariat’s attention from material inequalities toward "higher," spiritual, and aesthetic values. B. The Education of the Middle and Working Classes
Eagleton begins by debunking the myth that English has always existed. In the 18th century, "English" was not a subject; the educated studied the Classics (Greek and Latin).
When modern students search for a digital copy or summary of Eagleton’s essay, they are entering a conversation that is highly relevant to contemporary higher education. The corporate university of the 21st century faces a mirror image of the crisis Eagleton described. The Neoliberal University and the Crisis of the Humanities
English literature became a compulsory subject for civil servants, ensuring that those governing the colonies carried "English values" abroad. The Education of the "Oppressed": "English" was seen as a way of cultivating
He argues that English Literature was invented to:
Eagleton focuses on the 1920s–1950s.
By the mid-19th century, the influence of religion was waning, leaving a void in social cohesion and moral education.
Here's a brief summary:
In "The Rise of English," Terry Eagleton argues that academic English literature originated not as a neutral discipline, but as an ideological tool for social control during the Victorian era. He contends that literature served as a substitute for religion, promoting shared cultural values and "timeless truths" to maintain social cohesion while pacifying the working class. Access the full text of Literary Theory: An Introduction through the Internet Archive .
2. The Failure of Religion and the Search for Social Cohesion
: He argues that the study of English was intentionally used to instill "ruling class values" and "good taste," acting as a stabilizing force to prevent civil unrest and align the middle class with aristocratic sensibilities. Ideology and Imperialism
The modern movement to "decolonize the curriculum" draws directly from the intellectual lineage of Eagleton’s critique. By recognizing that the traditional literary canon was built to serve nationalistic, imperialist, and bourgeois interests, contemporary educators can actively work to dismantle these biases. This opens up the classroom to marginalized voices, postcolonial literatures, and diverse cultural narratives. Conclusion: Literature as a Site of Struggle The chapter argues that the study of English