Why Was the Scrutiny project an Absurd Movement in the Context of “The Rise of English?”
The Rise of English is a notable literary work by Terry Eagleton. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of The Rise of English.
Answer
Why was the scrutiny project an absurd movement in the context of “The Rise of English?”
Terry Eagleton (1943-present) discusses the ‘Scrutiny’ project in his essay “The Rise of English” (1983). In the early 20th century, F. R. Leavis and a group of Cambridge critics began the Scrutiny Project. They aimed to make English literature a respected field. They focused on strict criticism and high literary standards. This project was key in establishing English studies as a serious academic discipline.
Focus on Criticism Without Solutions: Eagleton criticizes the Scrutiny project for focusing too much on finding faults in literature without offering solutions. The project wanted to improve literary criticism but didn’t provide clear ideas for better literature or addressing social problems. He describes the project as:
The focus of a moral and cultural crusade.
Isolation from Broader Social Contexts: The Scrutiny project ignored the social and political factors that shape literature. This approach separates literature from the realities of class, politics, and ideology. The author explains that while Scrutiny pointed out problems of that time, it failed to solve any of them. This made the project less relevant in addressing wider cultural issues.
Overemphasis on Literary Elitism: The Scrutiny project stressed “high literature” while rejecting popular culture. Eagleton suggests this focus on literary elitism clashed with the democratic trends in society. He notes that Scrutiny emphasized criticism without guiding what is correct or how to write better. He supports this point with:
With breathtaking boldness, Scrutiny redrew the map of English literature in ways from which criticism has never quite recovered.
In short, Eagleton sees the Scrutiny project as flawed and limited. It aimed to raise literary standards but missed addressing broader social issues. Its focus on elitism made it out of touch with society. As a result, the project became less relevant over time.