Matthew Arnold

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The book offers a critical examination of Matthew Arnold, reflecting on the author's evolving relationship with Arnold's work over a decade. The Preface to the second edition acknowledges the steady demand for the book and addresses previous criticisms, particularly regarding the portrayal of Arthur Hugh Clough and the aesthetics of Arnold's poetry. Trilling emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of his original text, despite his growing knowledge and understanding of 19th-century thought, while recognizing the limitations of his earlier analysis.