1. How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of Tradition? Do you agree with it? What do you understand by Historical sense?
T.S. Eliot, following the footsteps of Dryden, Coleridge, and Matthew Arnold, embodied the dual roles of poet and critic, intertwining creation and criticism. His belief in their complementarity led him to advocate that a proficient poet must also possess the skills of a discerning critic. Eliot's immense influence on literary criticism in the 20th century stemmed from his commitment to reshaping taste and revitalising literature.
His criticism, notably marked by sincerity and a lack of preconceived standards, aimed at nothing short of excellence. Eliot championed the idea that both artists and critics must strive for perfection and that a relentless dedication and disciplined approach were necessary to truly understand artistic endeavours. Moreover, Eliot underscored the necessity for a receptive societal environment to foster mature art. He embraced classicism in literature, advocating for order, discipline, authority, tradition, and structural coherence.
Central to Eliot's ideology was the theme of tradition, profoundly evident in both his criticism and creative work. His stance against the romantic view, which exalted the poet's personality as the core of poetry, opposed the idea of unchecked inspiration and intuition. He recognized the shortcomings of relying solely on sporadic inspiration, often leading to chaos in the hands of lesser poets. Eliot valued tradition, considering it pivotal for artistic creation, contrary to the romantic perspective that disregarded its significance in favour of unbounded creative freedom. So yes, I agree with Eliot’s concept of Tradition.
T.S. Eliot stands as one of the most influential figures in the Modern Age, particularly for his concept of the 'historical sense,' articulated in his groundbreaking essay, "Tradition and the Individual Talent." For Eliot, tradition hinges upon the complete grasp of historical context, where a poet's understanding of the past and present interconnects.
“ The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past but of its presence.”
This historical sense allows a poet to recognise that the past isn't detached from the present; rather, it involves perceiving the past's relevance in the present moment. It signifies an awareness of a collective consciousness, where the entirety of Europe's literary heritage, spanning from Homer to contemporary works, forms a continuous tradition. Eliot clarifies that tradition doesn't advocate for blindly adhering to past practices or conventions.
“ This historical sense, which is a sense of the timeless as well as of the temporal, and of the timeless and of the temporal together, is what makes a writer traditional.”
The historical sense encompasses not only acknowledging the past's existence but also realising its resonance in the present. Eliot emphasizes the coexistence of past and present within one unified continuum. This sense of history encapsulates both the timeless and temporal aspects, ultimately shaping a writer into a traditionalist. A writer grounded in tradition possesses a keen awareness of their contemporary era while being profoundly conscious of their connection with past literary luminaries.
In essence, a sense of tradition implies an acknowledgment of literature's continuity. It involves a discerning judgment of which past writers retain significance in the present landscape.
2. What is the relationship between “tradition” and "individual talent,” according to the poet T. S. Eliot?
T.S. Eliot regards tradition as a vital link to the past, emphasizing a writer’s need to incorporate it into their work. He stresses the importance of critical thought over mere creativity, stating that a poet’s art bears traces of the past when examined critically. He believes that while a poet should draw from the past, it shouldn’t be a mere imitation. Rather, Eliot advocates for novelty born from the imitation, showcasing an “individual talent” emerging from this blend. He discourages passive imitation and encourages judgment of new work by comparing and contrasting past and present, observing how the present alters the past without undermining either. This, Eliot argues, is the essence of true tradition.
3. What is the relationship between “tradition” and “the individual talent,” according to the poet T. S. Eliot?
Eliot defines "tradition" as a connection to the past, insisting writers should create within this framework. He sees the Western focus on creativity as neglecting critical thought. For Eliot, a poet's work holds echoes of the past when examined critically, not just creatively. He believes that while a poet draws from the past, it's not mere imitation; novelty born from that imitation is crucial, emphasizing individual talent. Eliot discourages passive imitation, advocating for newness within tradition. He highlights evaluating new work by comparing it to the past, understanding how the present modifies it, aiming for balance between past and present values. This, Eliot argues, is the essence of "tradition".
Eliot emphasises that extensive reading is vital for poets and readers, suggesting that those lacking understanding rely solely on literary works. He points to Shakespeare as an example, highlighting how despite lacking traditional education, Shakespeare's profound understanding of his time made his work timeless. Eliot's concept here aligns with Matthew Arnold's essay on the role of criticism. Arnold observed that remarkable creative periods are rare in history.
The New Critics drew inspiration from Eliot's classical ideals, religious views, emphasis on early seventeenth-century literature, and criticism of Romantic poets like Shelley. Eliot's notion that poetry should not simply unleash emotions but rather offer an escape from them, and his belief that modern poets should be complex, influenced them. He advocated for "programmatic criticism," encouraging poets to write for personal advancement rather than historical scholarship. Ironically, Eliot's influence on the New Critics is notable, despite his later criticism of their overly detailed textual analysis, yet they share a focus on poetic aesthetics over ideological content. The New Critics echo Eliot in their meticulous examination of specific poems and passages.
6. How would you like to explain Eliot's theory of depersonalisation? You can explain this with the help of a chemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst agent, platinum.
Eliot views depersonalisation in poetry akin to a chemical transformation. Picture the poet's emotions as ingredients, and tradition as a catalyst, like platinum. Rather than erasing emotions, tradition functions like a catalyst, refining them into something enduring and communal. Depersonalization, according to Eliot, is a harmonious blend—a preservation of personal sentiments enriched by the influence of tradition. This catalyst shapes the poet's feelings, transcending them into a universal human experience in poetry. In essence, it's about maintaining the personal touch while allowing tradition to amplify and broaden the poetic impact, creating a shared expression that resonates beyond the individual poet.
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7. Explain: "Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality."
Eliot countered Wordsworth's belief that poetry springs from spontaneous emotion, aligning more with a classical view that rejected the notion of poetry as an overflow of feelings. He emphasized tradition over the poet's individuality, highlighting that a poet's personality mattered less than how their work integrated into the poetic tradition. Despite the perception that Eliot dismissed the importance of the poet's self, critic C.K. Stead argued otherwise. Eliot's call to "escape from personality" wasn't a rejection of the self but an encouragement to delve deeper into it. While poetry isn't an outpouring of raw emotions, poets aim to transcend their unrefined emotions to craft authentic ones in their work.
8. Write two points on which one can write a critique of 'T.S. Eliot as a critic'.
1. Critics argue that T.S. Eliot's writing style as a critic is often characterised by obscurity and difficulty. Some contend that his complex language and allusions make his critical essays challenging to understand for a general audience. This level of complexity may lead to a sense of elitism, excluding readers who are not well-versed in the extensive literary and cultural references woven into his critiques. Hence one can critique his Difficulty in language
2. Another critique of Eliot as a critic revolves around his perceived subjectivity and strong adherence to traditionalism. Some argue that his critiques often reflect personal biases, particularly regarding his preference for traditional forms and his skepticism toward certain modernist movements.
Conclusion:-
Eliot's impact as a critic has been vast and enduring. He transformed readers' tastes, prompting a reevaluation of poetry's purpose and the poet's creative process. His contribution to criticism introduced new directions and tools, revitalizing the study of English poetry. George Watson notes that Eliot altered English criticism, not just superficially, but by expanding its expressive potential. He simultaneously elevated it while challenging its historical approach, shaping a new perspective on literary periods through a few exceptional ideas.
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