Doing as One Likes | Matthew Arnold's view on the ‘working classes’

Doing as One Likes | Matthew Arnold's view on the ‘working classes’

Q. Comment on the Arnold's view on the ‘working classes’ from the essay, "Doing as One Likes"

Answer: “Doing As One Likes” is the Second Chapter of Matthew Arnold’s book, Culture and Anarchy. In this chapter, Arnold shows the concept of individual freedom and the challenges that come with it. Matthew Arnold presents the idea of human freedom, especially the freedom of the working classes, in this essay. He mentions that complete freedom as one likes is not necessarily a good thing. He says that it can lead to a lack of meaning, purpose and true fulfillment.

In his essay, “Doing as One Likes”, Arnold presents a complex and controversial outlook on the English working classes. Arnold acknowledges the great social and political power of the working classes. He views their development with a mix of sympathy and fear.

Arnold praises the strong determination and self-defense power of the working classes. He observes that the traditional hierarchies and the paternalistic attitudes of the old generations were increasingly defenseless in the face of the rising working classes. Therefore, Arnold acknowledges that the working classes have a legitimate claim to doing as one likes. They have gained a great degree of personal and political freedom.

Arnold, however, acknowledges the deep reservations about the new hope of unrestrained power of the working classes. Arnold praises the great freedom of the working classes. But he fears about the power of the working classes. If it is left to their own accordingly, they will simply indulge in base pleasures without cultivating deeper intellectual and cultural refinement. Arnold seems their freedom is very essential to true human flourishing, but it is not without the certain means of great freedom.

Most of the critics worry that the empowered working classes will give up the ‘best self’ in favor of the ‘ordinary self’. They argue that the working classes may prioritize immediate gratification over the difficult work of self-improvement.

Accordingly, Arnold advocates a strong dose of authority to temper and channel the energies of the working classes. He believes that traditional leaders have an important role to play in guarding the message of the working classes. Their patriarchal leaders may lead the working classes towards higher forms of culture and civic engagement. Arnold argues that the ultimate goal should be increased for the working classes. But this would not simply be allowed to their immediate demands.

In this way, Arnold’s view on the working classes reflects on the tension and contradiction of his time. Though he is sympathetic to their plight, he remains devoted to a hierarchical vision of society. He thinks the cultivated classes must bear a responsibility to uplift the masses of the working classes.

This paternalistic desire has drawn considerable criticism from free thinkers. Though the utmost desire of the working classes is well-intentioned, it is to be halted gradually. Their challenges are navigating the transition to a more democratic order. Thus, Arnold’s essay reveals the complexity of Victorian attitudes towards social change caused by the working classes.

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