Does Culture Matter? By E.M.Forster

 

Does Culture Matter? By E. M. Forster

 

Answer the following questions in 15-20 words each:

1. What was the speciality of Richard Terry?

Answer: Richard Terry was the organist of West Minister Cathedral. The music presented by him and his peers is the reality.

2. What kind of civilisation is described by Sinclair Lewis in his novel ‘Babbit’?

Answer: Sinclair Lewis in his novel ‘Babbit’ describes a civilisation which had no tradition and could consequently only work, or amuse itself with rubbish; it had heard of the past, but lacked the power to enjoy it or understand.

3. What did Dante write about the inscription on the gates of Hell?

Answer:  Dante wrote about the inscription on the gates of Hell that they were made by the power, wisdom and love of God.

4. Why does Forster say that cultivated people are like ‘a drop of ink in the ocean’?

Answer: Cultivated people are like ‘a drop of ink in the ocean’ because they mix easily and even genially with other cultivated people. Now culture is no longer a social asset, so a cultivated person can inspire even a common person.

 

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each:

1. What does Forster mean by ‘Faith makes one unkind’?

Answer: ‘Faith makes one unkind’ because due to one’s faith whether in religion or other dogmas; one becomes insensitive to other’s beliefs. As he/she is deeply obsessed with his/her own view, he/she undermines other’s religion, creed or faith.

2. What reason did Mrs. Leavis give for the aggressive attitude of popular fiction towards classics?

Answer: Although bestseller fiction has been written for last two hundred years, it has only lately realised its power, and it has become venomous and aggressive towards classical. It is supported by most of the press, even by the cheap libraries.

3. Why does Forster say that Dante is a test case?

Answer: Dante is a test case because views about his greatness vary significantly. On the one hand, there are throngs of people who consider him a great humorous artist. On the other hand there are scores of people who condemn him for being sadist. But in any case, giving him up is a sign of throwing culture overboard.

 

Answer the following questions in 150 words each:

1. How does Forster defend culture and advocate its continuance in the modern context?

Answer: According to the view of E. M. Forster in his essay ‘Does Culture Matter?’ human culture provides ‘the power to understand and enjoy’ all the best things of life and so without ‘tradition and culture the chance of connecting work and play and creating a life which is all of apiece’ is impossible. Through the example of Sinclair Lewis’ Babbit; Forster brings home the fact that a civilisation which has no tradition and could consequently only work or even amuse itself with rubbish. Thus Forster defends culture and advocates its continuance in the modern world. Forster describes culture as beautiful and interesting objects which men have made in the past, and handed down to us, and which some of us are expecting to hand on the next generations.

2. Describe the incident of the popular comedian and BBC. What does the author want to suggest by this incident?

Answer: A popular comedian has been faded out on the air in a BBC programme. The BBC, generally so stiff-necked, apologised the comedian and even presented a detailed explanation of the incident to defend itself. A compromised was made and the comedian’s comment was printed; he professed himself appeased and consented to broadcast in the future. Forster wonders if a poet’s or a philosopher’s talk had been cut short, would the BBC have shown same promptness to apologise. Such trivial incidents reveal that the past, and the creations that derive from past, are losing their honour and on their way to being jettisoned.