1.How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of 'Tradition'? Do you agree with it? What do you understand by 'Historical Sense'? (Use these quotes to explain your understanding.)
"The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past but of its presence."
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 idea of "Tradition" is, however, most lucidly expressed in his essay Tradition and the Individual Talent. He thought that the writer does not create a work of art in isolation but based on the literary traditions.
What is Tradition?
According to Eliot, tradition is not just following old ways or copying the past. It’s about having an awareness of all the great works that came before and understanding their influence on the present.
A good writer respects this tradition but also contributes something new to it.
What is the 'Historical Sense'?
Quote:
"The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past but of its presence."
This means a writer needs to see the past not just as something old but as something alive and relevant today.
For Eliot, great writers have a sense of belonging with both the past and the present. They know that their writings are part of a whole literary tradition.
Quote:
"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."
According to Eliot, writers need both the timeless (universal truth in literature) and temporal (the moment at their hands). This mixture allows their work to be of the time and not at the same time.
I agree:
Because i feel that Eliot is correct because every artist learns from what came before. Literature is a dialogue between generations, and the new writer has to hear the older voices before adding his own.
In this , Eliot says, "You can't write in a vacuum. You're part of a bigger story, and to write well, you need to understand and respect the chapters that came before you. But you also need to add your unique voice to this story."
2.What is the relationship between “tradition” and "individual talent,” according to the poet T. S. Eliot?
Explain: "Some can absorb knowledge; the more tardy must sweat for it. Shakespeare acquired more essential history from Plutarch than most men could from the whole British Museum".
Explain: "Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation are directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry."
T.S. Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent" analyzes the interplay between the personal creativity of a poet and the influence of literary tradition.
Relationship Between "Tradition" and "Individual Talent":
Tradition: Eliot believes tradition is the treasure of learned and written words of ancient poets. According to him, a poet must be closely aware of this literary background in order to produce sensible work. It does not mean to imitate the past; rather, it is to study and interact with it.
Individual Talent: Though tradition is necessary, Eliot believes that, equally important is the particular creativity of a poet, called individual talent. A greater poet integrates personal expression and the results of tradition. He creates something new in the poetic world.
Interpretation of the Quotes:
1. "Some can absorb knowledge; the more tardy must sweat for it. Shakespeare acquired more essential history from Plutarch than most men could from the whole British Museum."
Meaning: Eliot means some people, such as Shakespeare, have a genius whereby they can intuitively receive the essential knowledge. What a man like Shakespeare had intuitively learned from his wide reading of Plutarch and others, others could acquire, but only after much reading; it was not only something he knew but was deep in him.
2. " Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation are directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry. "
That is, Eliot believed that literary work evaluations should center on the poem, and not on the personal life or intentions of the poet. This view encourages readers and critics to evaluate the excellence, meaning, and power of the poetry regardless of its creator, making their appreciation objective.
3.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 suggests that poets should separate their personal emotions and experiences from their poetry, allowing the work to stand independently of the author's individuality. He illustrates this concept using a chemical analogy involving a catalyst.
Chemical Analogy:
Eliot compares the poet's mind to a piece of platinum in a chemical reaction. In the process of creating sulfurous acid, sulfur dioxide and oxygen react in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The platinum facilitates the reaction but remains unchanged and unaffected by it. Similarly, a poet's mind should act as a catalyst, combining various emotions and experiences to create poetry, while remaining detached and unaltered by these elements.
Explanation of the Quote:
Eliot's statement, "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," emphasizes that poetry should transcend personal feelings and individual identity. Instead of merely expressing personal emotions, poets should strive to craft works that evoke universal emotions, enabling readers to connect with the poetry on a broader level.
Critique of T.S. Eliot as a Critic:
1. Influence on Literary Criticism: Eliot's emphasis on impersonality and tradition has significantly shaped modern literary criticism. His ideas encourage critics to focus on the text itself rather than the author's biography, promoting objective analysis. However, some argue that this approach may overlook the importance of personal context in understanding a work's depth and meaning.
2. Potential Limitations: While Eliot's theory advocates for detachment in poetic creation, critics have pointed out that complete depersonalization may be unrealistic. The poet's experiences and emotions inevitably influence their work to some extent. Additionally, the analogy of the poet's mind as a catalyst has been questioned, with some suggesting that the comparison may not fully capture the complexities of the creative process.
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