Eagleton’s “The Rise of English” makes a point about literature replacing religion during the Victorian era and becoming something to bind society together. It provided English literature with a new lease on life, by becoming the most worthwhile subject to study. Scrutiny, a critical journal, was founded by the Leavises to analyze all works, previous and current and went so far as to take a political stance that addressed issues of the day. However, the primary concern of the academia was what role English literature would take in both society and civilization and what niche it would fill.
During’s essay “Teaching Culture” and Menand’s on “The Demise of Disciplinary Authority”, both discuss the role of English academics in a society that flits back and forth between deciding on its worth. While the institution of English remains strong with a solid base stretching back centuries, there is a debate between During’s “knowledge for its own sake” (96) and the academic who becomes a professional based upon need. The authors agree that both courses of action have merit but whether or not society will accept these positions for their intrinsic value has yet to be decided.
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