This blog is part of task on Bridge Course: T. S . Eliot - Critisism- Tradition and individual Talent. "
Que: 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.
Ans:
let's delve into Eliot's fascinating concept of tradition! Imagine a vast library where all the great works of art, from ancient myths to modern poems, reside on the shelves. Eliot believed that a true artist doesn't just grab a book and read it; they enter the library itself, becoming part of a grand conversation that spans centuries. This conversation is tradition.
Eliot's historical sense is the key to joining this conversation. It's not just memorizing dates and facts; it's about feeling the past as a living presence, breathing down your neck while you create. You see how Homer's epic echoes in Joyce's stream-of-consciousness, how Shakespeare's tragedies influence your own modern drama. The past isn't some dusty museum exhibit; it's a vibrant tapestry woven into the very fabric of your art.
Here's how Eliot puts it:
"The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past but of its presence."
Think of it like a family heirloom. Your great-grandmother's brooch isn't just a pretty bauble; it carries the weight of generations, whispers of laughter and tears, the clink of teacups at long-gone gatherings. When you wear it, you feel the past brush against your skin, a tangible connection to who you are and where you come from.
This "simultaneous order" is what makes a writer traditional. They don't simply copy the past; they engage with it, reimagine it, and add their own voice to the ongoing symphony of art. It's like adding a new verse to an ancient ballad, or painting a fresh layer on a Renaissance masterpiece.
Now, let's discuss do I agree with Eliot?
Well, like any good conversation, tradition is full of diverse voices and perspectives. I appreciate Eliot's emphasis on the past's influence, but I also believe that artists need to break free from its shadow sometimes. Blindly following tradition can lead to stale imitations, not vibrant creations.
Ultimately, the best art strikes a balance. It acknowledges the whispers of the past while boldly singing its own unique song. It's like a jazz musician who riffs on a classic melody, improvising their own dazzling variations while keeping the original tune alive.
So, the next time you pick up a book or admire a painting, remember the vast library of tradition behind it. Feel the echoes of the past, but don't be afraid to add your own verse to the ongoing story. That's the true essence of Eliot's historical sense: not just understanding the past, but using it to create a vibrant, ever-evolving present.
Here are some quotes from Eliot that help illustrate his ideas:
"Tradition does not mean handing over from generation to generation a fainter and fainter echo of old pronunciamentos."
Que:What is the relationship between “tradition” and "individual talent,” according to the poet T. S. Eliot?
Ans:
In T.S. Eliot's world, tradition and individual talent are like, partners in a tango: they need each other to truly shine. Here's how it works:
Tradition is the floorplan: Imagine a grand ballroom (history) with a beautiful, intricate dance floor (established forms, styles, and ideas). This floorplan sets the boundaries and provides some structure for the dance.
Individual talent is the dancer: Each artist brings their own unique moves, flair, and personality to the dance. They can't ignore the floorplan entirely, but they can twist and turn within its constraints, creating something fresh and new.
What's the relationship?
- Tradition nourishes talent: Just like dancers practice ballet steps before improvising, artists learn from the past. They study old masters, understand techniques, and gain inspiration from what came before.
- Talent enriches tradition: Great dancing adds new moves and interpretations to the tango. Similarly, talented artists push the boundaries of tradition, expanding its possibilities and keeping it alive.
- They become one: The best dance doesn't just follow the steps; it feels effortless, organic. When tradition and talent truly connect, the artist's voice blends seamlessly with the past, creating something timeless and unique.
Here are some key points to remember:
- Tradition shouldn't be a straitjacket for creativity. It's a guide, not a rulebook.
- Great art isn't just copying the past; it's a conversation between the artist and history.
- The goal is to create something new and valuable, while still respecting and building upon the legacy of those who came before.
Eliot's idea of tradition and talent isn't about stifling individuality; it's about standing on the shoulders of giants to reach even greater heights. In this grand dance of creativity, both tradition and the individual artist have a crucial role to play.
Que: 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".
Ans:
This quote by T.S. Eliot is like a riddle wrapped in an onion, but fear not, I'll peel it back for you!
Here's the gist:
- Not everyone is a learning sponge: Some people just soak up knowledge naturally, while others have to work hard for it.
- Shakespeare was a history buff: He learned more about the past from reading Plutarch's Lives (a collection of biographies) than most people could even with access to a giant library like the British Museum.
Important points:
- Quality over quantity: It's not about how much you read, but how well you understand and absorb it.
- Active vs. passive learning: Shakespeare actively engaged with the material, connecting it to his own work and ideas, while others might just passively skim through books.
- Talent and effort: Even though Shakespeare was naturally gifted, he also put in the hard work to make the most of his learning.
Unique twist:
- Eliot uses the British Museum as a metaphor for the vast amount of information available in the modern world. He's saying that even with all this knowledge at our fingertips, some people still struggle to learn effectively.
What does it all mean?
This quote reminds us that learning is not a passive activity. It takes effort, focus, and a willingness to engage with the material on a deeper level. Even the most brilliant minds need to put in the sweat to truly shine.
Bonus: Fun fact!Shakespeare actually made quite a few historical mistakes in his plays, even though he learned from Plutarch. This shows that even the best learners can make errors, and that it's important to be critical of what we read and learn.
Que: 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".
Ans:
This quote by T.S. Eliot is like a treasure chest with two layers, let's unlock them together!
1. Learning Styles:
- The Gift of Absorption: Some lucky learners naturally soak up knowledge like a sponge, understanding even complex ideas with ease.
- The Sweat of Understanding: Others, bless their hardworking hearts, have to put in the extra effort to grasp new concepts. They "sweat" for their knowledge, but the reward is just as sweet.
2.Shakespeare's Learning
Hack
- Plutarch as the Power Bank: Forget the massive British Museum with its endless books! Shakespeare, the master playwright, got his juicy historical knowledge from just one source – Plutarch's Lives, a collection of fascinating biographies.
The Key Points:
- Quality Wins Quantity: It's not about how much you read, but how effectively you engage with it. Shakespeare mined the gold from Plutarch, not just skimmed the surface.
- Active vs. Passive Learning:He didn't simply memorize facts; he connected them to his plays, breathing life into history. Many, even with a mountain of books, might passively read without truly absorbing.
- Effort + Talent = Genius: Don't underestimate the power of hard work. Even with his natural talent, Shakespeare put in the sweat to transform knowledge into brilliance.
Unique Twist:
Eliot throws shade at the "information overload" of his time (and ours!). The British Museum is a metaphor for the vast, yet scattered, ocean of knowledge in the modern world. He reminds us that even with all this at our fingertips, some still struggle to learn effectively.
The Takeaway:
Learning is a personal journey, not a race. Find your style, whether it's quick absorption or dedicated sweat, and engage with the knowledge that fuels your passions. Remember, even the Shakespeare of your field might learn more from a single, well-chosen source than from a sea of distractions.
Que: 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.
Ans:
Eliot's theory of depersonalization is like a chemistry experiment with a twist, where the artist is the catalyst and the emotions are the reactants. Here's how it works:
Imagination Time:
1. Flask of Feelings:You have a flask filled with bubbling emotions – love, anger, fear, and all the rest. These are like the reactants in a chemical reaction, waiting to be transformed.
2. Platinum Poet:Enter the artist, the catalyst, represented by a cool, inert piece of platinum. They don't have their own emotions bubbling in the flask, but they hold the key to transformation.
3. The Reaction Begins:The poet interacts with the emotions, stirring them, guiding them, and shaping them into something new. They don't get caught up in the emotions themselves, they just facilitate the process.
4. Art as the Product:The result is a beautiful piece of art, like a poem or a painting. This art is born from the emotions, but it's not just a direct expression of them. It's been refined, transformed, and given a new life through the artist's touch.
Key points:
- The artist is not the focus: The emotions are the raw material, but the artist doesn't let their own personality or feelings dominate the work. They are like a neutral catalyst, guiding the reaction without being consumed by it.
- Art is not just emotional expression:It's a process of refining and shaping emotions into something new and meaningful. The artist uses their skills and imagination to create something that transcends their own personal experience.
- Depersonalization is not about suppressing emotions: It's about using them as tools, not letting them control the process. The artist retains control and creates a work that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Why the platinum analogy?
Platinum is a catalyst because it speeds up chemical reactions without being changed itself. It's a perfect metaphor for the artist's role in depersonalization. They facilitate the creative process without getting caught up in the emotional whirlwind themselves.
Que: 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'.
Ans:
T.S. 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," suggests a nuanced perspective on the nature of poetry. Here's a more elaborate explanation:
1. Escape from Emotion: Eliot's view proposes that poetry doesn't serve as an uncontrolled release of emotions. Instead, it offers a structured avenue to distance oneself from overwhelming emotions. Through the use of poetic form, meter, and language, emotions are refined and expressed in a more controlled, contemplative manner. This allows both the poet and the reader to engage with emotions in a way that is less immediate and intense, providing a space for reflection rather than a direct overflow of feelings.
2. Escape from Personality: Eliot contends that poetry transcends the mere expression of the poet's individual personality. Instead, it allows the poet to detach from their personal experiences and present a more universal perspective. By employing symbolism, allusions, and complex imagery, poets can convey broader, more archetypal human experiences that resonate beyond individual idiosyncrasies. Poetry thus becomes a vehicle for exploring shared human conditions and emotions rather than a direct reflection of the poet's specific personality traits or experiences.
As for critiques of T.S. Eliot as a critic:
1. Complexity and Obscurity: Eliot's critical writings are often criticized for their complexity and obscurity. His dense prose, extensive literary allusions, and erudite references can render his works challenging for readers unfamiliar with the depth of literary theory or historical contexts. This complexity may limit accessibility and understanding, making it less inclusive for a wider readership.
2. Subjectivity and Bias: Critics argue that Eliot's critical viewpoints are heavily subjective and influenced by his personal preferences and cultural background. His strong opinions on what constitutes 'good' or 'bad' literature might be rooted in his individual taste, potentially restricting the scope of his critical evaluations and excluding perspectives that diverge from his own.
These critiques highlight Eliot's writing style, which can be difficult for some readers to grasp, and the potential limitations of subjectivity in his critical assessments, potentially narrowing the breadth and inclusivity of his critical perspectives.
Conclusion:
T.S. Eliot's concepts on tradition, the relationship between tradition and individual talent, Shakespeare's learning approach, depersonalization in art, and poetry's nature provide rich insights into artistic creation. He emphasizes tradition as an ongoing dialogue with the past, where artists engage, reimagine, and contribute their voice to the continuum of art. Tradition and individual talent, for Eliot, intertwine like partners in a dance, enriching each other to create timeless and innovative art.
Shakespeare's unique approach to learning, as highlighted by Eliot, underlines the quality of engagement over sheer quantity. It underscores the importance of active, deep learning over passive accumulation of information. Eliot's theory of depersonalization likens the artist to a catalyst in a chemical reaction, shaping raw emotions into refined art without being overwhelmed by personal feelings.
However, while Eliot's insights offer profound perspectives, critiques point to challenges in understanding his complex, subjective writings. His intricate prose and potential biases limit the accessibility and inclusivity of his critical viewpoints. Despite these limitations, Eliot's ideas remain foundational in understanding the interplay between tradition, creativity, and the transformative power of art.
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