preptest 78, passage 2, question 14
summary
the primary reason middle-class individuals historically became patrons of the arts, according to matthew arnold, revolves around their desire for respectability and status rather than a genuine appreciation for the art itself.
- matthew arnold characterized the aristocracy as 'barbarians' and the middle class as 'philistines' obsessed with respectability.
- the middle class's patronage of the arts was driven by a desire to establish a reputation as patrons rather than by an intrinsic value or aesthetic appreciation of the arts.
- arnold suggests that the middle class's engagement with the arts was superficial, aimed at enhancing their status among peers rather than reflecting personal taste or values.
- artists had to work with little personal taste or insight from their patrons, indicating a lack of genuine engagement with the art commissioned.
chapters
00:00
understanding inference questions
00:25
analyzing matthew arnold's perspective
01:13
deciphering the middle class's motivations
