Identify modernist metaphors in these short poems

Characteristics of Modern poetries can be considerd as:

1. Reprentation of Lonliness


2. Darkness of human recesses


3. Language is Bombastic as well Complex


4. There is no rhyme, no rhythem and no meter followed

Here are few poetries which are interprited in more simplistic language.

1.) ‘The Embankment‘- T. E. Hulme

Once, in finesse of fiddles found I ecstasy,
In a flash of gold heels on the hard pavement.
Now see I
That warmth’s the very stuff of poesy.
Oh, God, make small
The old star-eaten blanket of the sky,
That I may fold it round me and in comfort lie.

In this poem, the poet is missing his life as a “fallen gentlemen”, the metaphor contains complexity by using word ‘gentleman’ rather than ‘man’. Poet is recounting his experiences of past and that enjoyment, also the words like “flash of gold heels” but now in the cold winter night he only needs a blanket rather than anything else and he has not blanket so he requests God to give a blanket of stars, but here the word he has used is “Star-eaten blanket” which suggests that blanket of God is in poor condition but though there is a need of blanket suggests spirituality is in poor condition but in cold winter night of brokenness and sexual perversion the blanket of spirituality can give us life.

2.) "Darkness" - Joseph Campbell

Darkness
I stop to watch a star shine
in the boghole -
A star no longer, but a silver
ribbon of light.
I look at it and pass on.

The title itself reflects the dark shade. Darkness gives us an image of downfall. 'Star' is a symbol of prosperity and brightness means that there was some goodness in civilization but now it's all dark.


If anyone looks at the stars, he or she will sit and admire the beauty of the night, but here post just looks at it and passes on. This reflects the disinterestedness prevalent in modern times. How modernists were not interested in the so-called brightness of the Victorian age can be seen here. The decayed condition of the civilization is presented.

3.) 'Image' - Edward Storer

Forsaken lovers,
Burning to a chaste white moon
Upon strange Pyres of loneliness and
drought.

The poem as per its title “Image” presents an image of the modern people and their way of living, they requires purity like moon. They all are burning with various diseases like sexual perversion and nothingness which T. S. Eliot has also presented in The Waste Land and in these four lines this image of loneliness of modern era is presented.

4.) "In a station of the Metro" - Ezra Pound

The apparition of these faces in the Crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough

The title of the poem itself gives an image of the mechanism of life. The lifeless people going for the daily routine. The crowd of people are like living dead. Going for work without any enthusiasm. 'Petals' is used as metaphor for people and 'black bough' for a culture of living dead.

5.) 'The Pool' - Hilda Doolittle

Are you alive?
I touch you
You quiver trembling like a sea-fish
I cover you with my net
What are you- banded one?

The title ' The pool' gives us an image of stored water. Water symbolizes purity and rebirth. Here water is in pool it's not flowing which symbolises the rottenness of the civilization.
This poem reflects the lifelessness in the people who are lost in the monotonous life like a ' fish caught in net'.
Similar lines can be found in the poem "The Wasteland" by T.S.Eliot -

6.) "Insouciance" – Richard Aldington

In and out of the dreary trenches
Trudging cheerily under the stars
I make for myself little poems
Delicate as a flock of doves
They fly away like white-winged
Doves.

The poet presents that how people are living their life in insouciance way with carelessness. They try to express their feelings in literature as poet says “I make for myself little poems” the way of living is with no excitement “In and out of the dreary trenches” but though all are walking on their path with such cheer, the reference of “white-winged Doves” (originally a bird of desert thickets) is also used for modern culture of living life and feeling of isolation is there.

7.) Morning at the Window - T. S. Eliot

They are rattling breakfast plates in basement kitchens,
And along the trampled edges of the street
I am aware of the damp souls of housemaid
Sprouting despondently at area gates.
The brown waves of fog toss up to me
Twisted faces from the bottom of the street,
And tear from a passer-by with muddy skirts
An aimless smile that hovers in the air
And vanishes along the level of the roofs.

Compared to Romanticists, its language & selection of word is totally different. The word 'Rattling' means vibrating, shaking plates and 'Damp' means in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
Their soul has become like Damp; lifeless.
'Fog' is also negative word; it doesn't allow you to see the things clearly. 'Twisted faces' also connotes negative sides 'tear' , 'Muddy skirt', 'Aimless smile' Most of the words are negative. This poem gives images and symbols of the dead spirit in people, doing everything aimlessly. Death of spirit can be seen.

8.) The Red Wheelbarrow -William Carlos Williams

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chicken.

It's a quite confusing poem. Generally ‘wheelbarrow’ means a small cart with a single wheel at the front and two supporting legs and two handles at the rear, used typically for carrying loads in building work or grad. Here poets put the word separately which gives a different meaning. Barrow alone means an ancient burial mound. Again the words 'rain' and 'water' also symbolises positive and negative. The colours 'red' and 'white' are used in dual way. It makes the poem difficult in understanding. By reference reading it can be said that the poem is for some child who is dying.

9.) Anecdote of the Jar- Wallace Stevens

I placed a jar in Tennessee,
And round it was, upon a hill.
It made the slovenly wilderness
Surround that hill.
The wilderness rose up to it,
And sprawled around, no longer wild.
The jar was round upon the ground
And tall and of a port in air.
It took dominion everywhere.
The jar was gray and bare.
It did not give of bird or bush,
Like nothing else in Tennessee.

This title lets us know that this poem will be about a jar. It may be an allusion also. When we refer to the word 'Tennessee' it is connected with a state. It may be an open related to this place.

The 'Jar' symbolises the state which was a simple jar handled by any hand and later become independent. Poem can be seen as a small story of the ‘Jar’; the state of Tennessee.

10.) ‘l (a‘- E. E. Cummings

l(a
le
af
fa
ll
s)
one
l
iness

It is a very cleverly arranged poem. It means a leaf fall on loneliness. 'Loneliness' shows the sense of depression prevalent in Europe during 90s. The word 'fall' suggests fall of civilization and fall of spirituality. How a tree becomes barren when the last leaf falls, same is reflected here. Loss of hope can be also seen. In few words the poet has said so much. It also symbolises inevitable death.

Thanking You.....

These views are not mine, I have taken the help from my Batch Mates' blogs.

Yesha Bhatt and Vadehi Haiyani Thank You...

Work Cited:
https://yeshab68.blogspot.in/2016/07/interpretation-of-ten-short-poems.html
http://vaidehi09.blogspot.in/2016/07/identifying-modernist.html

Blog on To The Light House

Respected Sir,

Here is my response to given task:

2. Yes I do agree: “The novel is both the tribute and critique to Mrs. Ramsey” one side Virginia Woolf critique on Mrs. Ramsey through Lily Briscoe’s Juxtapose character that is having modern eye sight differs from Mrs. Ramsey’s traditional view points. It sometimes seems mockery of Mrs. Ramsey’s illusions and the other side it creates pity withal proud of her ‘selflessness’. She is more of a symbol of an Indian culture or we can say she is a woman of Victorian mindsets. Woolf does not criticize Mrs. Ramsey for not having profound educational degrees. But she admires that she is a ideal Victorian woman though at a require time she raises her voice. So in her complementary Woolf said:

“Fifty pairs of eyes cannot take a round around the woman.”

7. when we read the beginning of the novel it has effective start like we enter in the mind of characters one by one and in the film it has differently begun with the introduction of the characters one by one and in the film it has differently begun with the introduction of the introduction of the characters. At the end the confusion of Briscoe has very well describe by narration and in  the film it has described by visual effects of light and sound. Both are effective but we can say novel has long narration of Lily’s dilemma and her vision.  

Other questions will be soon Answered...

Let Me Go My Way, By- Jayati Thakar

Let Me Go My Way

                  By- Jayati Thakar

Let me go my way,

I wanna break those

old chains; which tied me

so long.

Let me walk by my own

Please do not endow your support

I know ‘will be fallen by my sovereign first step

But, I wanna grow.

Let me cross that threshold, which

bounded "She" for 

thousands 

years just to maintain your prestige.

Let me find a Path

Where I embrace the nature

Where flowers are with their smiles

And thrones too to make me feel pain.

Let my feet bleed,

I will though love that way;

which will tell a story of

my struggle to a next comer.

Let me lost in those darken jungles,

Where my predecessors

passed long ago

And perhaps next I would.    

Let me do not yearn for

‘The Destination’,

Let me feel painstaking of

my journey.

Let me be the reason of

my happiness

as you never stopped me

to be the reason of my miseries.

Let me go as per my whimsies

I don’t need one to hold my hand

Now, don’t stop me, don’t tie me

let me go my way.

(Inspired by an anonymous poet) .

    

Review of movie screening on ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’

Review of movie screening on ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’

      ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ is a novel by Pakistani writer, Mohsin Hamid, published in 2007. It also turned into political thrilled drama film in 2012, directed by Mira Nair; staring at Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson as lead actors. The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a post 9/11 story about the impact of the Al Qaeda attacks on one Pakistani man and his treatment by Americans in reaction to them. (Wikipedia)

        The novel (movie) uses the technique of ‘frame narrative story’ (story within the story). In which one Pakistani bearded man call Changez Khan, tells to one nervous American stranger about his love affair with one American woman (Erica); while seating in one outdoor Lahor Café.

The story went ten years back to America; where Changez was satisfy with his love life and his job. Then one terrible incident happened about 9/11. American Civilians were under the threat of terrorist attack.  Every Muslim people of America came under the watch of American securities. They were publically and privately offended by American cops. Changez also became the part of that. In very rude way he was investigated. Now he finds his fellow mates who are having their sight with doubt towards him. Even his personal life with Erica became disturbed. Somewhere he finds himself being objectified in case of Erica. All of sudden he feels alone as well lonely. He finally decided to come back to Pakistan; his homeland. In Pakistan also, he was constantly hideous way chased by as well inquired by one American Journalist call Bobby Langton. He was working for CIA. At the end of the movie, it is revealed that Bobby was CIA agent. And CIA too found that they have done great mischief for they have doubted on Changez. Bobby feels guilty for what he did and decided to write Changez’ real story.

In this novel or movie the word ‘Fundamentalism’ used in two different senses, while Jim (Changez’ American boss) uses this word in context of ‘Corporation world’. Whereas the same word later used by a Pakistani man Fazil, it simply suggest the ‘Terrorism’.

At last to conclude I opines,  

                Why we have problem with Muslims and not with the White people? Why we have deep respect for Whites and hatred for Muslims? Why we have sight of doubt towards them and not with others?     

Thank you…

Work cited:

·       Wikipedia

·       Class-notes

Review of movie screening on “Midnight’s Children”

Review of movie screening on “Midnight’s Children”

‘Midnight’s Children’ is one of the most acclaimed novel written by Salman Rushdie, Which in 2013 emerged as a drama; luminously directed as well compiled by Oscar Nominated Deepa Mehta.

This film highlighting the lives of two individuals; born at the stroke of midnight when India achieved its independence from the British. Withal it suggests that how those children are blessed with some magical power. The twist comes there when these two children took birth in the same Bombay hospital; were shifted by the nurse ‘Mary’. The beggar’s child (boy) exchanged with wealthy couple’s baby boy. Mary did this desperately on the whim of her husband Joe. Joe was doing this for raising voice against rich people as well politically engaged. He said that,

‘Let the rich become poor and poor become rich’.

Beggar’s boy named as ‘Shiva’, who was in real, belongs to a wealthy as well eminent family of Ahmed Sinai and Amina Sinai. Sinais’ heir was named as ‘Saleem’, who was actually a boy of beggar woman Vanita. Over a period of a time, their fate makes them face each other on the field of rivalry, politics, romance and class.

          The whole novel is mouthpiece of Saleem Sinai himself; who with growing age mate with his extra-ordinary power. He could listen some tremendous voices from his nose.

‘I found some voices from nose’ – Saleem.

Here, we for the first time find magic realism. Now often Saleem finds some illusionary figures of children. Here we meet Parvati, who is another mysterious child like Saleem and Shiva. She is an orphan girl. At the middle part of the movie we introduced with her as a part of Saleem’s illusions, but with the passing of time Saleem and Parvati fell into love. They married each-other.

In the rest part we find Parvati doing some magic with whispering of ‘Abara ka Dabara’. Throughout the movie we find this magic realism used by these midnight’s children. Till the end the lives of Shiva and Saleem becomes ruined, because the secret of their born is unfolded now. Shiva dies; Parvati also dies in one accident. Saleem remains with his son (actually a son of Parvati and Shiva). Thus, this novel (movie) contains major three themes: 1) creation and telling of history, 2) the creation and telling of nation’s and individual’s identity, 3) the creation and telling of stories.

Basically, this novel has flat plot. In movie version it also creates some boring moods in viewer’s mind. So that many critics opine that it has not that stuff or content to make a movie on it.

Work Cited:

§  Wikipedia

§  Class-notes 

comments upon Eliot's 'The Waste Land'.

  Respected Sir,

As we are asked to share our views on different perspectives of Friedrich Nietzsche and T.S.Eliot. Nietzsche believes in concept of ‘Ubermensch’ (Superman/over man) (modern eye sight looking towards modern dilemmas) rather than any spiritual faith. Withal Eliot sounds more regressive and backward looking while he finding answers of contemporary disquiet from the roots of Upanishad, Buddhism as well Christianity. Nietzsche’s concept of superman is quite new as well modern, he through this; argues that one should not relay on any supernatural as well spiritual faiths for their dilemmas and ambiguities. In fact, he should find the answers from his own inner side; he has that enough capability to solve his own problems. Therefore he doesn’t need any religious faith. He further argues that traditional values had lost their power in the lives of individuals. He expressed this in his decree “God is dead.” Moreover he says that traditional values represent a ‘slave morality’. Withal Nietzsche claims that new values could be created to replace the traditional ones and this discussion led him to the concept of superman/Over human/Above human. Nietzsche mentions that all human behavior is motivated by ‘will to power’. To prove his argumentation he mentioned several individuals who serve as model; among these models he lists Jesus, Greek Philosopher Socrates, Florentine thinker Leonardo da Vince, Italian artist Michelangelo, English Playwright William Shakespeare, German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Roman ruler Julius Caesar, and French emperor Napoleon 1, etc. Whereas, Eliot in ‘The Waste Land’ clearly shows his faith in religion as well in supernatural things in last part of the poem ‘What the Thunder said’,

“When I count, there are only you and I together

But when I look ahead up the white road

There is always another one walking besides you

Gilding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded

I do not know whether a man or a woman

-        But who is that on the other side of you?”

This speaks more about Eliot’s belief in Christianity and supernatural figures. Somehow I agree with Nietzche, that one should keep more faith in his own self rather any other thing. I do not mean that there should not be any religious faith; but it should be at one extent. It should not become blind faith.

Secondly, we are asked to compare the thought difference between Sigmund Freud and T.S.Eliot. For Freud the most profound cause of the confusion lay in the Unbehagen (discomfort, uneasiness) in der culture of modern man. He emphasizes on man’s primitive instincts. He gave us the concepts of Id, Ego and Super ego. When man’s suppressed ego bounced higher; it breaks all the social chains which have tied him. Simultaneously we find Eliot opines that salvation of a man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition.

In last question we are asked to analyze that where Eliot has used some indian context. From last (5^th) part ‘What the Thunder Said’ he took some references from Bruhad-upnishad, he introduced us with three prominent words are; Datta, Dayadhvam and Damyata. Where Datta means ‘giver’, Dayadhvam means ‘compassion’ or ‘empathy’ and Damyata means ‘self- control’. In ‘Fire Sermon’ he took the references from ‘Buddha’s sermon, which represents another indic philosophy.

Lastly, Eliot very bluntly ends this poem with ‘shantih shantih shantih’ (peace that passes understanding), (T.S.Eliot)Which reflects his deep faith in spirituality.

(T.S.Eliot)

Works Cited

T.S.Eliot. 'The Waste Land'. n.d.

English as ‘Second Language’ In India.

English as ‘Second Language’ In India

This paper argues that English is not purely pedagogic construct language in India. It has to be properly understood in the larger historical, social, and educational context. As we can say that English is not merely the second language in India but also the fashion icon, sign of cultural reputation, as well leading modernized language. It has its own structure which is accordingly: 1. modernization, internationalism 2. Mythology3. Language policy. In India English is more promoted by ‘elite class’ people rather than any other and it also left deleterious effects on the Indian mind and culture. In fact it divides culture into classes too. Elite class people who are perfectly represent the privilege figure in the society. Thus automatically English brought as leading language and it could easily establish hegemonic state among every other Indian languages; which now became regional or cultural language or else in sophisticated way they all began to known as ‘classical language’. Now Indian languages became backward in comparison of English language. One mythology or we can refer it as ideology represents one metaphor for English language as ‘window on world’. Because, it is the language of knowledge (science and technology), language of modernization and liberalization, language of liberty, and language of reason. Withal it is the language known as ‘link language’ to communicate. Thus it became that communicational bridge between two different countries or regions. But the black spot / negative side of English language is, it has replaced regional languages of India. In many region there are some controversies raised too to save regional language in against of English language. In Kerala we find people speak their regional language or else they can communicate only in English language. Thus, English language became second language in India but always it remains at privileging part of the society.

To conclude this discussion I would like to put here one statement further said by Kapil Kapoor that, “Indian languages are the walls that enclose us in darkness and English is the window that let’s in the light of reason and modernization.”

(Kapoor)

Works Cited

Kapoor, Kapil. ""Teaching English as 'Second Language' in India"." n.d.

Benefits and Loses of English Language in India

Benefits and Loses of English Language in India

English plays a conflicting double role in India. As we know that English is ‘Global Language’ but a second language in India. It is like two sides of single coin, it has its benefits as well its loses are too. India is the country where already more than 20 or 24 languages are spoken in different states. Before, British raj there wasn’t influence of English language in India. But, till the Independence people in India became aware with the language and this was become the common language to build a communicational bridge between Indians and British people. Even after Independence, a pattern of bilingualism has emerged as the executive, legislative, legal and educational domains English and Indian Language. More over we can find its influence in politics, supreme court and all proceeding constitutions also. That’s true, India became free in 1947, but the materialism of English people was retained in India as it is. For example, Railway, Missionary schools and colleges etc.. By the passing of time English remains no more the other language it became official language in India. These were the benefits of English Language.

Now, let’s have glance upon its loses; the second side of it. It has the major lose is that It couldn’t accepted easily as it was taken as second or the other language. It replaces the L1 (first language or the mother language). So, people started thinking that their own mother language has remained no value at all. Now a days in India there were some controversies happened to ‘save our mother language, stop using other (English) language’. In France people has already boycott the English language for speaking as well communicational use. Neither they speak nor they replay in English in the respect of their own national language ‘French’. As well many countries prefer their own mother tongue than any other. It is their insecurities which are stopping them to use or to accept other language and give the equal respect as to their mother tongue.

(ANNAMALAI)

Works Cited

ANNAMALAI, E. "SATAN AND SARSWATI: The Double Face Of English In India." ANNAMALAI, E. n.d.

10 Hollywood Movies inspired by Bollywood.

we find so many films in Bollywood, which are inspired by Hollywood. But, find rare movies of them which are inspired by Bollywood. We generally took no glance upon it. But, in our academic discussion (Movies generally taken from Literary texts and thus Literature is also a part of Movie). This question was raised by our Mentor, that we ever introduced with such kindaa movie. So, this question led me to this site and finally I came across 10 Hollywood Movies which were inspired by Bollywood. Let's have a look upon it.

1. A Wednesday (2008)- A Common Man (2013)

2. Vicky Donor (2012)- Delivery Man (2013)

3. Darr (1993)- Fear (1996)

4.  Rangeela (1995)- Win A Date With Tad Hamilton! (2004)

5. Abhay (2001)-  Kill Bill (2003)

6. Sangam (1964)- Pearl Harbor (2001)

7. Jab We Met (2007)- Leap Year (2010)

8.  Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005)- Just Go With It (2011)

9. Chhoti Si Baat (1975)- Hitch (2005)

10. Aahwanam (1997)- Divorce Invitation (2012) 

http://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/hollywood-movies-copied/

My research work on- Critique 'Eliot as a Critic'.

M. K. Bhavnagar University

Smt. S. B. Gardi Department of English

Name:-Jayti Rudresh-Kumar Thakar

Sem: 1 (M.A. English Literature).

Roll. No. 38

Enrolment No – PG15101038

Contact No. 9033657069

Email id.  jjayti.thakar@gmail.com

 Critique “T.S.Eliot as a critic”.

“Criticism is the practice of judgingthe merits and faults of evaluative or corrective exercise can occur in any area of human life.”

Another meaning of criticism is the study, evaluation,film and social trends. The goal of ‘Literary Criticism’ is to understand the possible meaning of cultural phenomena and the context in which they take shape.

Besides being a poet, playwright and publisher, T.S.Eliot shows a disinterested endeavor of critical faculty and intelligence in analyzing a work of art.

Eliot was acknowledging as one of the greatest literary critics of England from the point of view of the bulk and quality of his critical writing.

In honor to Eliot, John Hayward states that,

“I cannot think of a critic who has been more widely read and discussed in his own life-time; and not only in English, but in almost every languages, except Russian”. (Encyclopedia)

For the sake of a systematic discussion, his critical works may be grouped under the following heading:

a)                Theoretical criticism dealing with the principles of literature,

b)               Descriptive and practical criticism dealing with the works of individual artists/writers and evaluation of their achievements and,

c)                Theological study.

‘Tradition and Individual Talent’ has been one of Eliot’s extraordinarily influential critical works. It was first published in 1922 in ‘sacred wood’, and was subsequently included in the ‘selected essay’ (1917-1932).

In this essay, Eliot has primarily dealt with his concepts of,

a)                Historical sense and Tradition.

b)                Interdependence of the past and the present.

c)                 Impersonality in art in general and poetry in particular.

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, ‘Tradition means a belief, principle or way of acting which people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time, or all of their beliefs, etc. in a particular society or group.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes ‘Tradition’ an ‘inherited, established or customary pattern of thought, action as behavior(as a religious practice or a social custom)’.

However, ‘tradition’ according to Eliot means ‘principles’ that are to be followed in order to hone your skills as a writer. But, those principles are not inherit age. They are to be studied upon and to be understood in harmony with all the tradition. Eliot says that, “the literary tradition is the outside authority to which an artist in the present must owe allegiance”. Eliot considers tradition as outside authority that provides base to new comer sand there for they should pay their loyalty to ‘tradition’.

From the point of view of T.S.Eliot, ‘Individual Talent’ simply means with “Inner voice”. Middleton Murray first used this word in his essay “Classicism and Romanticism”. He used this word (inner voice) for romantic poets (According to Murray, romantics have full faith in their inner-voice).

In his essay of “Tradition and Individual Talent”, he had pointed out that there is an intimate relation between the present and the past in the world of literature.

It involves, in the first place, the historical sense. The entire literature of Europe from Homer down to the present day forms a single literary tradition that individual works of art have their significance. This is so because the past is not dead, but lives on in the present (Original text, para-3).

“No poets, no artist of any art has his complete meaning alone. His significance, his appreciation is the appreciation of his relation to the dead poets and artists” (Original text, para-4).

“You cannot value him alone; you must set him, for contrast and comparison, among the dead” (Original text, para-4).

In above statement, Eliot tries to say that in every tradition there is always remain significance of each individual and their work out of it is the appreciation of those dead poets and artists, who perhaps considered as ground (base).

Past works of literature form an ideal order is disturbed if ever so slightly, when really new work of art appears. Whoever has approved this idea of order, of the form of European of English literature will not find it preposterous that “the past should be altered by the present as much as the present is directed by the past”(Original text, para-4).

This statement simply means that, every time new work of art altered the old one as well as it also directed by that same work.

 In a peculiar sense is the (new poet/artist) will be aware also that he must inevitably be judged by the standards of the past (Original text, para-5).

“He must be aware that the mind of Europe- the mind of his own country-a mind which he learns in time to be much more important than his own private minds…” (Tradition and individual talent- text, para-6)

In this phrase Eliot speaks that while one is up to write something must be aware with the mindset of his own country-men. At that time he should avoid his own mindset and has to stop doing interrupt in it.

In second part Eliot gives theory of “Impersonality” he states,

“Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry” (Original text, part:2, Para 11).

§  Theory of ‘Depersonalization’ :-

According to Eliot bad poet Is usually unconscious where he ought to be conscious and conscious where he ought to be unconscious. Both errors tend to make him ‘personal’. “Poetry is not a turning loose of emotions, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of a personality, but an escape from personality” (Original text, Part:2, Para 17). To simplify this statement Eliot says that a poet should remain completely detach or impersonal from his emotions and from his personality while creating a poetry.

Additionally, he says that the man who suffers, and mind who creates, and a person should obey him or surrender him to that activity of mind. Because, the activity of mind is more superior to the man. So, man should be aloof in this case.

§  “Inner- voice” : An Ironic Treatment:-

From the view point of Eliot, for those who believe in the “Inner-Voice”, criticism is of no value at all, because the function of criticism is to discover some common principles for achieving perfection in art, and those who believe in the “Inner – Voice” do not want any principles, they do not care for perfection in art.

Thus, in this essay, he treats tradition not as legacy but as an invention of anyone who is ready to create his or her literary pantheon, depending on his literary tastes and positions. This means that the development of the writer will depend on his or her ability to build such private spaces for continual negotiation and even struggle with illustrious antecedents (previous), and strong influences.

Through this essay Eliot simply tries to convey that,

“One must refer ‘Tradition’, but not to imitate.”

Harold Bloom terns the state of struggle as the “Anxiety of Influence.”Bloom derides Eliot for suggesting a complex, an elusive relationship between the tradition and the individual, and goes on to develop his own theory of influence.

Through an insightful study of romantic poets, Bloom puts forth his central vision of the relations between tradition and individual artist.

Bloom simply means that,

“One is influenced by his formers/predecessors one or the other way.”

According to Bloom, in his book’s argument,

“Poetic history is held to be in distinguishable from poetic influence. Since strong poets make that history by misreading one another, so as to clear imaginative space for themselves”.(Bloom)

From above quote Bloom says that poetic history is quite different from poetic influence as the strong poets who created the history or tradition perhaps from their misreading and disproof. So, in that case individual talent proves much better to create an artistic work.

As a critic Eliot has his faults too. At times he assumes a hanging judge attitude and his statements savor of a verdict.

Though he is talking about ‘de-personalization’, he is not free from his ‘persona’. Because, often his criticism is marred by personal and religious prejudices blocking an honest and impartial estimate.

Moreover, he does not judge all by same standards. There is didacticism in his later essays and with the passing of time his critical faculties were increasingly exercised on social problem.

Somewhere, we find Eliot euro-centric that he never thinks beyond the European mindsets. Moreover he talks about Homer down to present era. But he never speaks for those who wrote before him.

Though, he has faults in his criticism, he could change the mindset of modernists.

Of all the western modernists, T.S.Eliot (1888-1965) has been the most pervasively influential through both his poetry and his literary criticism. He was initially influenced by the American new Humanists such as Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer, and his early ideas owed a great deal to their emphasis on tradition, classicism and particularly to Ezra Pound and the imagist movement (Habib).

Generally, Eliot considered himself as a “Classicist in Literature”. Because, it was he who first applied the Aristotelian method of comparison and analysis to the elucidation of works of literature. Although, he known as “Modern Critic” that perhaps because he applied the method of science to the study of literature to be able to see it as it really is. This is what he has to offer to present day.(Prasad)

*Criticism on Eliot by other Critics.

   

 Until the middle of last century, Eliot’s ideas of tradition were extraordinarily influential. His essay was major contributor to Modernism’s rise and hegemony. Like its author (T.S.Eliot), the essay came to be regarded as conservative, elitist, obsessed with order and back-ward looking. Eliot’s theory of literary tradition has been criticized for its limited definition of what constitutes the canon of that tradition. Moreover he emphasize that one should refer tradition at that level of pedantry. But, sometimes too much reading or learning not good for the creative work, because perhaps that sensibility of work dies. Then many believe that Eliot’s discussion of Literary Tradition is the “mind of Europe” reeks of Euro-Centrism. Withal this Eliot does not account for a non-whites and non-masculine (feminine) tradition. Post-Colonial critic Chinua Achebe also challenges Eliot, since he argues against deferring to those writers, including Conrad, whom have been deemed great, but only represent a specific (and perhaps prejudiced) cultural perspective. As we before discussed Harold Bloom’s “Anxiety of Influence” presents a conception of tradition that differs from that of Eliot. Whereas Eliot believes that the great poet is faithful to his predecessors and evolves in a concordant manner, Bloom (with his theory of “Anxiety of Influence”) envisions the “strong poet” to engage in a much more aggressive and tumultuous rebellion against tradition (Gareth Reeves – T.S.Eliot and the Idea of Tradition in Patricia Waugh’s Literary Theory and Criticism). Further in 1964, his last year, Eliot published in a reprint of “The Use of Poetry and The Use of Criticism”, a series of lectures he gave at Harvard University in 1932, a new preface in which he called “Tradition and the Individual Talent” the most juvenile of his essays (although he indicated that he did not repudiate it). Thus, Eliot himself fails to escape from his personal view-points upon romantics.

  

At the end I would humbly state that with the limited knowledge at my disposal, I tried to justify the topic. I would believe that I subscribe to what Eliot has to say about the importance of Tradition in honing Individual Talent. On the flip side to it I have my own reservations about his views on “Depersonalization”. It is somehow very difficult to detach yourself from the work. You cannot be detach or disillusion that literature you are writing or the literature you criticizing, unconsciously there is always a sense of “you” in what you think whether you write or for that matter you criticize.

         

           

 

Works Cited

Bloom, Harold. The Anxiety of Influence. Second. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Eliot, T. S. Tradition And Individual Talent. 1920.

Habib, M.A.R. "The Poetics of Modernism: Ezra Pound and T.S.Eliot." M.A.R.Habib. A History of Literary Criticism and Theory. New Delhi: Blackwell Publishing, Wiley India Pvt.Ltd., 2005, 2008 by M.A.R.Habib. 629.

Prasad, Birjadish. An Introduction to English Criticism. Delhi: Rashtriya Printers, 1965.

Reeves, Gareth. "T.S.Eliot and Idea of Tradition ." Waugh, Patricia. Literary Theory and Criticism. n.d. 107 to 117.