文化研究在英国一般上溯到维多利亚时代的诗人、评论家马修.阿诺德。作为对维多利亚社会现实的回应,他以自己的生活、思考和写作展示出强烈的精英意识和文化追求。他的诗作表达出对古希腊宁静至善境界的向往;他的诗论则提出了诗是追求完美与光明的先导,诗的创作离不开诗人和评论家的不懈努力所生发出的时代精神;他的文化与社会批评是对时代沉疴的直接应对,对后世的英国社会生活、文学产生了巨大的影响。 Cultural studies generally date back to the Victorian poet and critic Matthew Arnold. In response to the reality of Victorian society, he demonstrated a strong sense of elitism and cultural aspirations in his own life, thinking and writing. His poem expresses the longing for the quiet and perfect state of ancient Greece. His poem theory points out that poem is the guide to pursue perfection and light. The creation of poem can not be separated from the spirit of the times issued by the unremitting efforts of poets and critics His cultural and social criticism is a direct response to the gloom of the times and has a tremendous impact on later generations of British social life and literature.