"Our society distributes itself into Barbarians, Philistines and Populace; and America is just ourselves with the Barbarians quite left out, and the Populace nearly"

This quote by Matthew Arnold is a commentary on the state of society in the 19th century. He is suggesting that culture is separated right into 3 unique teams: Barbarians, Philistines, and also Populace. The Barbarians are those who are uncivilized as well as do not have society. The Philistines are those that are educated as well as cultured, however lack creativity and also creativity. The Populace are the masses, the daily individuals who compose the majority of culture. Arnold is recommending that America is a society without Barbarians, and with the Populace nearly left out. This implies that America is a culture that is mainly comprised of the enlightened as well as cultured, but lacks creativity and also creativity. This quote is a reflection of the 19th century view of America as a culture that is greatly comprised of the educated as well as cultured, but does not have imagination and also creative thinking.