Bridge Course : T.S ELIOT Criticism

 

How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of tradition ? Do you agree with it ? What do you understand by  historical sense ? 

Explain : " Historical sense involves a perception not only of the pastenss of the past but of its presence ." 

 

  Certainly, that quote emphasizes how understanding history goes beyond acknowledging its existence; it involves recognizing its enduring impact on the present.the historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but its presence.

Explain : 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.

    T.S. Eliot's concept of tradition involves a dynamic relationship between the past and the present. He argues that a writer must have a "historical sense," understanding both the timeless and temporal aspects of literature. This sense allows a writer to engage with the past while creating something relevant in the present. I don't express personal opinions, but Eliot's perspective emphasizes the importance of historical consciousness in creating enduring literary works.

What is the Relationship between         "Tradition" and " Individual Talent "       according to the poet T.S Eliot ?

     Eliot's impersonal theory of poetry is that the poet, the man, and the poet, the artist are two different entities'. The poet has no personality of his own. He submerges his own personality, his own feeling, and experience into the personality and feelings of the subject of his poetry.

     Eliot challenges the common perception that a poet's greatness and individuality lie in their departure from their predecessors; he argues that "the most individual parts of his  work may be those in which the dead poets, his ancestors, assert their immortality most vigorously."  

Explain : " Same can absorb knowledge the more trady must sweat for it . Shakespeare acquired more essential history from plutarch than most men could from the whole british museum."

 

The quote you provided seems to be a combination of phrases and may not directly align with T.S. Eliot's ideas on the relationship between "Tradition" and "Individual Talent." However, T.S. Eliot, in his essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," discusses how an artist's individual talent is influenced and shaped by the tradition of literature that precedes them. He emphasizes the importance of the artist's connection to the literary tradition, suggesting that the past works and achievements of other writers become a part of the artist's own creative process.

        

Explain : " Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry"

In T.S. Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," he argues that a poet's work should be evaluated in the context of literary tradition rather than focusing solely on the poet's personal experiences. The quote "Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry" suggests that Eliot emphasizes the importance of assessing the poem itself, detached from the poet's individual identity. This reflects his belief that poetry is an ongoing tradition, and each poet contributes to a larger literary heritage.

 

How would you like to explain Eliot's theory of depersonalization? You can explain this with the help of a chemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst agent, platinum.

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. Write two points on which one can write a critique of 'T.S, Eliot as a critic "

   T.S. Eliot's theory of depersonalization in poetry can be likened to a chemical reaction with a catalyst like platinum. Just as platinum facilitates a transformation without being consumed, Eliot suggests that poetry serves as a catalyst, allowing emotions to be transformed without a direct expression of the poet's personality. It becomes an escape from both raw emotion and personal identity.

Critiques of T.S. Eliot as a critic could focus on:Subjectivity Some argue that Eliot's criticism can be overly subjective, reflecting his own preferences and cultural biases rather than providing objective assessments of literary works.