When God died, something had to fill the void of absolute morality. The Victorians needed a way to socialize the middle and working classes into obedience without using overt force. You couldn't beat people into being good citizens forever. So, you taught them poetry.
In "The Rise of English," Terry Eagleton argues that English literature emerged not as a neutral academic study, but as an ideological tool designed to maintain social order and class hierarchy during the 18th and 19th centuries. The text posits that literature functioned as a "new religion" to fill the void of declining religious authority, serving as a mechanism for both social pacification and imperialism. You can review a summary of the text at Scribd . The Rise of English by Terry Eagleton A Brief Summary Terry eagleton the rise of english pdf
: Critics, such as those at The New Criterion , argue that Eagleton’s desire to be "politically correct" and "intellectually fashionable" sometimes leads to reductive statements about complex philosophical ideas. Finding the Text When God died, something had to fill the
As the 19th century progressed, the authority of the Church of England began to decay under the weight of scientific rationalism (Darwin) and political revolution (Marx). The Victorian bourgeoisie needed a new ideological apparatus to quell the working class and humanize the industrialists. So, you taught them poetry
The Rise of English " is the influential first chapter of Terry Eagleton's 1983 book, Literary Theory: An Introduction
If you're interested in reading the book, I recommend exploring these options or purchasing a physical copy.
