# Narrator — Culture and Anarchy character guide > Narrator in Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, myself, mine **First appearance:** 0002-culture-and-anarchy ## Snapshot A restless Victorian critic who refuses to let culture mean mere polish or class badge, insisting it is curiosity rightly ordered toward seeing things as they are. ## Who they are He moves through England's parks, chapels, and newspapers as an uneasy conscience, measuring every cry for fire and strength against the neglected claims of sweetness and light. His great desire is to reconcile Hebraism and Hellenism, right doing and right thinking, in a single perfected self; his flaw is the impatience of a man who sees the destination clearly and cannot make his countrymen walk faster. Because he frames the whole argument, his voice sets the terms by which Barbarians, Philistines, and Populace will be judged. ## Relationships ### [Colonel Dickson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/colonel_dickson) _social_ Colonel Dickson appears as a frequent interlocutor, likely representing conventional military or establishment views that the narrator engages with critically. ### [Dr. Newman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/dr_newman) _rivalry_ Dr. Newman is a theological and intellectual opponent whose ideas the narrator often challenges, particularly regarding religious authority and culture. ### [Mr. Murphy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/mr_murphy) _social_ Mr. Murphy is a contemporary figure whose opinions on politics and society the narrator frequently debates or critiques. ### [Mr. Chambers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/mr_chambers) _social_ Mr. Chambers is a public figure whose views on education and culture the narrator engages with, often in a critical manner. ### [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/socrates) _psychological_ The narrator invokes Socrates as a philosophical touchstone, using his method of questioning to critique modern society and culture. ### [Mr. Spurgeon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/mr_spurgeon) _rivalry_ Mr. Spurgeon, a prominent preacher, represents a religious perspective the narrator opposes, particularly regarding the role of faith in culture. ### [Mr. Bradlaugh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/mr_bradlaugh) _rivalry_ Mr. Bradlaugh, a secularist and political reformer, is a frequent target of the narrator's criticism for his radical views. ### [St. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/st_paul) _psychological_ St. Paul is used by the narrator as a symbol of Hebraism, representing a moral and religious force contrasted with Hellenism. ### [Mr. Lowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/mr_lowe) _rivalry_ Mr. Lowe, a politician and critic of democracy, is a figure the narrator argues against regarding educational and political reform. ### [Mr. Walter Travers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/mr_walter_travers) _social_ Mr. Walter Travers is a contemporary writer whose ideas on culture and religion the narrator engages with in a debating context. ### [Hooker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/hooker) _psychological_ Hooker, the theologian, is referenced by the narrator as an authority on the relationship between church and state, used to support arguments. ### [Mr. Beales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/mr_beales) _rivalry_ Mr. Beales, a reform leader, represents the working-class political movement the narrator critiques for its lack of cultural depth. ## In the story ### [Culture and Anarchy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/culture-and-anarchy) The authorial voice presenting the essay's thesis on culture versus anarchy. ### [Sweetness and Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/i-sweetness-and-light) The voice of the chapter, defending culture against its critics and articulating its ideal of perfection as sweetness and light. ### [Doing as One Likes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/ii-doing-as-one-likes) The central voice, reflecting on culture, liberty, and the need for authority. ### [Barbarians, Philistines, Populace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iii-barbarians-philistines-populace) Offers himself as an illustration of defect in middle-class qualities, noting his slackness at great works and his lack of self-satisfaction. ### [IV: Hebraism and Hellenism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iv-hebraism-and-hellenism) The voice of the chapter, analyzing and contrasting Hebraism and Hellenism. ### [Porro Unum Est Necessarium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/v-porro-unum-est-necessarium) The voice of the chapter, advocating for Hellenism and culture against the excesses of Hebraism. ### [Our Liberal Practitioners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/vi-our-liberal-practitioners) The voice of culture, advocating for Hellenism and disinterested reflection over mechanical action. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/i) The primary voice analyzing the Nonconformist position and advocating for Hellenism. ### [Chapter II: Doing as One Likes and the Real Estate Intestacy Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/ii) The narrator reflects on the Real Estate Intestacy Bill and the nature of rights, duties, and welfare. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iii) The voice of the chapter, arguing for culture and perfection over mere liberty. ### [Chapter IV: Hebraism, Hellenism, and the Social Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iv) The narrator reflects on the inadequacy of Hebraism and free-trade liberalism in addressing poverty, and advocates for Hellenistic clarity. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/v) The voice of culture, advocating for Hellenistic reflection over Hebraistic action. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/conclusion) The narrator speaks in the first person plural ('we'), defending culture against its critics and advocating for a state founded on right reason and the best self. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters