“The modern sense of the word ‘literature’ only really gets under way in the nineteenth century.”

A very important theme of the essay is that literature was used as a social tool. After political and social changes in England, especially after the civil wars, the ruling classes wanted order and stability. Literature helped them in this process. Books, essays, and poems taught values like politeness, morality, and good taste. They helped to educate the middle classes in proper behaviour. In this way, literature became a kind of moral training. It was not only about beauty and imagination, but also about shaping people’s character.

Another major theme in the essay is the rise of English as a subject in schools and universities. At first, English was not considered an important or serious subject compared to classics like Latin and Greek. But in the nineteenth century, it became more important. The ruling powers found English useful for teaching moral values and national pride. In the twentieth century, during the time of the First World War, English studies gained even more popularity. Eagleton makes a sharp comment when he says, 

“It is a chastening thought that we owe the University study of English, in part at least, to a meaningless massacre.”

Eagleton also stresses that the teaching of English was never free from politics. The selection of authors like Shakespeare, Milton, and Wordsworth helped to create a strong national culture. Literature was shown as something above politics, but in fact, it served political needs. It gave people ideas of loyalty, unity, and respect for authority. Thus, English literature was linked with ideology and power. It helped the ruling class maintain control in a changing society.

Another theme in the essay is the question of “literary value.” Eagleton argues that value is not natural or timeless. What we call “great literature” is often decided by institutions like universities, schools, and publishers. The canon of English literature was built in a way that reflected the needs of society. For example, Shakespeare became central not only because of his artistic genius, but also because he was useful for forming national identity. This shows that literature is never innocent; it is always connected with history and ideology.

Hence, the rise of English literature as a subject was not only about reading good books. It was about using literature to shape society, to build values, and to maintain political order. Eagleton teaches us that literature must be studied critically. We should love literature, but also question it, because it is always linked with power. Eagleton helps us understand that literature is never neutral. It always carries values, power, and purpose within it.