Arnold's meditation seeks to find out what culture really is, what good it can do, and if it is really necessary. He opposes the concept of culture -which he calls the study of perfection- to anarchy, the mood of chaotic uncertainty that pervaded mid-Victorian England. The author classified English society into the Barbarians (with their lofty spirit, serenity, and distinguished manners and their inaccessibility to ideas), the Philistines (the stronghold of religious nonconformity, with plenty of energy and morality, and although lacking in "sweetness and light" they held the key to culture), and the Populace: raw and blind). Our edition shows chapter titles and subtitles to lighten up the density of Arnold's style. In addition, we have moved the Preface to the end to enable the reader to plunge into the heart of the book right away.