T.S. Eliot and the Lost Generation: Biography and Poetry Analysis
Explore the life of T.S. Eliot, a key figure of the Lost Generation, and delve into his health struggles, personal challenges, literary pursuits, and poetic themes. From his early health problems to his poetic craftsmanship and allusions in works like "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," discover the complexity of this Nobel Prize-winning poet's journey.
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T.S. ELIOT The Lost Generation, Part II
Health problems since childhood (premature decrepitude ), aggravated by heavy smoking and alcohol abuse Emotionally tormented by: A. unsuccessful marriage to socialite Vivienne Haigh- Wood: To her, the marriage brought no happiness. To me, it brought the state of mind out of which came The Waste Land." (Haigh-Wood eventually hospitalized for mental illness; TSE content at 68 with 2ndmarriage to his secretary) B. literary direction a betrayal of active male family tradition (3 U.S. Presidents) Exceptional studies (classical letters and languages Greek, Latin, Sanskrit; philosophy; French); taught himself Italian to read Dante in the original Early turn to literature and college teaching--> banker Faber and Faber publishing director Expatriation (and religious conversion to High Anglicanism) as a way to discover personal happiness Modernity VS Dante s age, Golden ages of Pericles and Elizabeth, Christianity
Poetry is...an escape from emotion (New Criticism): crystallization of emotions into feelings objective correlative (key to controlled interpretation) mythical method (mythical blueprint to order meaning) Poetry elusiveness: So here I am, ... having had twenty years Twenty years largely wasted... Trying to use words, and every attempt Is a wholly new start, and a different kind of failure.... ...And so each venture Is a new beginning, a raid on the inarticulate With shabby equipment always deteriorating. (East Coker, 172-180) Small poetical production (also plays, essays), but gems of craftsmanship and art 1948 Nobel Prize in Literature
The allusion game: A. epigram from Dante s Inferno B. Michaelangelo refrain C. There will be time (allusion to Andrew Marvell s To His Coy Mistress and to Ecclesiastes) D. John the Baptist and Lazarus E. Hamlet Description of environment (outside/inside/imagined sea) tone What is the overwhelming question ? Why can t he ask it? What is Prufrock s problem? Title irony Read the comic-book adaptation at: https://julianpeterscomics.com/page-1-the- love-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock-by-t-s-eliot/
