Skip to content

What really dissatisfies in American civilisation is the…

“What really dissatisfies in American civilisation is the want of the interesting, a want due chiefly to the want of those two great elements of the interesting, which are elevation and beauty.” quote by Matthew Arnold
Download Open image
“What really dissatisfies in American civilisation is the want of the interesting, a want due chiefly to the want of those two great elements of the interesting, which are elevation and beauty.”

Matthew Arnold

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

American culture often lacks depth, craving novelty without the essential qualities of elevation and beauty that give meaning.

In simple terms: America seeks novelty but misses depth and beauty.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate depth and aesthetic appreciation.

Themes

culture beauty elevation civilization meaning

Mood

reflective critical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education reform
  • urban planning
  • media criticism
  • personal development

Key Concepts

aesthetic theory philosophy of art social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we integrate elevation and beauty into everyday life?
  • What barriers prevent appreciation of higher art?
A Different Perspective

Elevating taste can be elitist and exclude popular expressions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Matthew Arnold

Explore all 267 Matthew Arnold quotes

More America quotes

Browse all 20,382 America quotes