Literature and Society

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What does Leavis say about neoclassicism in Literature and Society?

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What does F. R. Leavis say about Neo-classicism in “Literature and Society?” [2017]

Neoclassicism was a movement (roughly 1660–1798) that revived the styles and values of ancient Greek and Roman literature. F.R. Leavis (1895-1978) examines Neo-Classicism, or the Augustan Age, in his essay “Literature and Society” (1937). He praises its unity between the writer and society, though he also points out its limits in terms of creativity and imagination.

Origin and Nature of Neoclassicism: Leavis says that the Neoclassical or Augustan Age began with the tremendous social changes of the seventeenth century. Its early stage appears in Dryden’s works, while its full growth is seen in “The

Tatler” and “The Spectator.” He notes that the period “laid a heavy stress on the social.” Writers followed moral order and reason rather than emotion. 

Social Unity and Cultural Health: Leavis admires this period because it joined literature with social values. He says, 

“It was an age with a tradition in which the writer felt himself very much at one with society.” 

This unity made the age rich in cultural health and moral strength. Literature became a means of civilizing taste and teaching good conduct. 

Refinement and Discipline in Art: According to Leavis, the Neo-classical writers valued clarity, order, and balance. He describes their idiom and convention as “the confident maturity of culture.” They avoided passion and disorder and believed in reason and form. This gave literature elegance and harmony. 

Limitation of the Age: Leavis, however, also finds a weakness in Neo-classicism. He says, 

“Such insistence on the social has a discouraging effect on the deeper sources of originality.” 

The strict social rules suppressed personal imagination. Individual genius was muffled by conventions of “Good Form.” 

In short, Leavis considers Neo-classicism both strong and limited. It was strong in culture, morality, and refinement, but weak in emotional vitality. 

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F. R. Leavis
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