# Social Class and the 'Three Classes' in Culture and Anarchy

> Theme guide for Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold.

Arnold categorizes English society into the Barbarians (aristocracy), Philistines (middle class), and Populace (working class), critiquing each for its deficiencies in 'sweetness and light' and its role in perpetuating social problems.

## Where it surfaces

- [Culture and Anarchy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/culture-and-anarchy): Arnold introduces his famous classification of English society into Barbarians (aristocracy), Philistines (middle class), and Populace (working class), each failing to embody true culture.
- [Barbarians, Philistines, Populace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iii-barbarians-philistines-populace): Arnold defines and analyzes the Barbarians, Philistines, and Populace, examining their virtues, excesses, and defects.
- [Chapter II: Doing as One Likes and the Real Estate Intestacy Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/ii): Arnold analyzes the Barbarians, Philistines, and Populace, showing how feudal landholding affects each class's welfare and ideals.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/themes/social_class
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/themes