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 (5th) 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.
Works Cited
T.S.Eliot. 'The Waste Land'. n.d.
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