Terry Eagleton The Rise Of English Pdf

He contends that the study of English was used to instill middle-class values and "civilize" the working class, effectively acting as an "opiate for the masses" to prevent social unrest.

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. Terry eagleton the rise of english pdf