His father was Thomas Arnold - one of the most important educational theorists in nineteenth century England (also headmaster of Rugby school).
All of Matthew Arnold's poems are about education in one way or another. He is always trying to point out ways that you can be a better person. (LIke his father he is very influenced by the idea that being a good person means having a healthy mind in a healthy body : mens sana in corpore sano).
Matthew Arnold is forever trying to teach you some kind of a lesson.
