Download or read book The Function of Criticism at the Present Time written by Matthew Arnold and published by ReadHowYouWant.com. This book was released on 2006 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Arnold believes that the ultimate function of humankind lies in exercising its creative powers. He delineates the function of criticism in this work saying that it filters the contents that will reach society. That a critic can judge the greatness of a literary piece has been asserted.