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Through their writing, Karl Marx and Matthew Arnold show their opposing views on the importance of internal and external functions of culture. In the first chapter of Culture and Anarchy, 'Sweetness and Light', Arnold describes culture as being responsible for the progress of politics and society and as 'the best knowledge and thought of the time' (19). Matthew Arnold's culture is based on two main aspects, religion and education. Karl Marx, however, strongly contrasts Arnold's ideas. …

…technology and power.         The writings of Marx and Arnold strongly oppose each other. The vast differences between Marx's and Arnold's opinion on culture are well noted in their writings. Marx's view of religion and education being non-important in his perfect culture contradicts the view of Matthew Arnold. Arnold believed that culture was a study of perfection in the mind of the individual. These contradicting views are an example of culture's various definitions in the world.