Who Are We to Criticise?

Thomas Carlyle felt that English criticism of Goethe revealed more about his critics than his poems.

1828

King George IV 1820-1830

Thomas Carlyle, by Sir John Everett Millais.

By Sir John Everett Millais (?-1896), via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

Thomas Carlyle, painted by Sir John Millais. Carlyle wrote as a critic of literature, a historian, and a social commentator. He is remembered for his ‘great men’ theory, that much-needed reforms in society always depended on a strong figure who could step forward and force the change that was required — a humble tribute to distant Power that too readily encouraged the natural vainglory of politicians. Paradoxically perhaps, Carlyle was also severe on the social ills arising from unfettered capitalism and the ‘cash nexus’, that is, a relationship between employer and employee that went no deeper than the payment of wages.

Introduction

Thomas Carlyle was one of the first English critics to appreciate the worth of German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). His fellow critics were much less kind, and Carlyle leapt to Goethe’s defence. A writer may be faulted only if he fails to give adequate expression to his own ideas, he said. We cannot fault him for failing to express ours.

by Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881

Let us consider what we mean by a fault. By the word fault, we designate something that displeases us, that contradicts us. But here the question might arise: Who are we? This fault displeases, contradicts us; so far is clear: and had we, had I, and my pleasure and confirmation, been the chief end of the poet, then doubtless he has failed in that end, and his fault remains a fault irremediably, and without defence. But who shall say whether such really was his object, whether each ought to have been his object? And if it was not, and ought not to have been, what becomes of the fault? It must hang altogether undecided; we as yet know nothing of it; perhaps it may not be the poet’s, but our own fault; perhaps it may be no fault whatever.

To see rightly into this matter, to determine with any infallibility, whether what we call a fault is in very deed a fault, we must previously have settled two points, neither of which may be so readily settled.

❰

1 2

❱

Précis

The negative assessment of Goethe’s poetry among English critics prompted Thomas Carlyle to remind them that we should not judge any work of art by whether we happen to like it. Poets write not to please critics, he said, but to express something within. We can charge their work with being faulty only if it falls short in this.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What does Carlyle define as undoubtedly a fault in any work of poetry?

Suggestion

The poet’s failure to achieve his object.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

A poet aims to express himself. A good critic judges his degree of success.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IExtent. IIFunction. IIIWhether.

Clay Lane The Copybook

Donate

Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.