Discourses in America

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Arnold, Matthew, 1822-1888

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Discourses in America" by Matthew Arnold is a collection of three lectures written in the late 19th century. The work reflects upon societal and political themes within America and England, examining concepts such as patriotism, the power of the majority, and the moral responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. Through detailed analysis and commentary, Arnold discusses the influence of prominent thinkers, including Emerson, and offers insights into the evolution and direction of American society. The opening of "Discourses in America" presents a preface where Arnold expresses gratitude to his American audiences for their attention and receptiveness to his thoughts, even when they challenge prevailing notions of patriotism. He acknowledges the faults present in both English and American societies, hinting at a need for moral recognition and transformation amidst current political struggles. The first discourse addresses the concept of 'Numbers,' highlighting the majority's often unsound judgment while suggesting that a smaller, more virtuous 'remnant' can ultimately guide societal change. Through references to historical figures and philosophical insights, Arnold sets the groundwork for a deeper examination of societal progress, emphasizing the necessity of moral clarity and intellectual engagement in both countries. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Numbers; or, the majority and the remnant

Literature and science

Emerson.

Credits:

Produced by Sean (scribe_for_hire@yahoo.com), based on page images generously made available by the Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/discoursesinamer00arnouoft).

Notes:

Reading ease score: 61.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2014-02-15