"The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot

 "The Waste Land" 

This blog based on famous poem "The Waste land" by T.s. Eliot in this blog you can find some Questions & Answers. This task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir. 

The waste Land

The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot, which came out in 1922, is a really important poem in modernist poetry. It's kind of like a puzzle because it's not straightforward and is made up of different parts. Each part talks about how modern societies are falling apart.

1. The Burial of the Dead

2. A Game of Chess

3. The Fire Sermon

4. Death by Water

5. What the Thunder Said

1. The Burial of the Dead

In this writing, Eliot represents a place that's falling apart spiritually, where people stick to their boring habits and don't want any change or spiritual growth. Even the usually refreshing month of April feels harsh, showing how the people there don't want to embrace new beginnings.

2. A Game of Chess

In Eliot's writing, he shows a society where love turns into just wanting physical pleasure, inspired by Middleton's play. The mention of Philomel suggests that suffering could make things better, but in modern times, it seems like there's no chance for things to improve.

3. The Fire Sermon

This part of the writing, named after Buddha's teachings, shows how the world is losing its spiritual goodness. It's like a huge fire fueled by hate and wanting things too much.

4. Death by Water

Water represents cleaning and starting again fresh, but Phlebas's death shows what happens to people who are too focused on worldly things—they lose their youth and life because of it.

5. What the Thunder Said

This part of the writing talks about finding freedom from feeling spiritually empty. It compares it to stories like the Fisher King myth where knights go on quests and Christ's disciples traveling to Emmaus. It's all about searching for truth and finding new life.

Basically, "The Waste Land" explores ideas like things falling apart, losing stuff, sexual problems, and feeling spiritually empty. It really looks deep into what it means to be human when society is falling apart. Eliot's way of writing changed how people wrote poetry in the 1900s, making a big impact on how poems looked and sounded.

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1) WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE FOLLOWING IMAGE AFTER READING 'THE WASTE LAND'? DO YOU THINK THAT ELIOT IS REGRESSIVE AS COMPARED TO NIETZSCHE’S VIEWS? OR HAS ELIOT ACHIEVED UNIVERSALITY OF THOUGHT BY RECALLING MYTHO - HISTORICAL ANSWER TO THE CONTEMPORARY MALAISE?

ANS.

T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land" and Nietzsche's idea of the Übermensch show different ways of thinking, but understanding how Eliot's work connects to Nietzsche's ideas needs a careful look.

Nietzsche's Übermensch idea says people should go beyond usual values and make their own meaning and rules. It's about taking charge of your life and ignoring what society says you should do. On the other hand, "The Waste Land" by Eliot often talks about old stories, religions, and cultures to talk about modern problems.

Eliot doesn't focus on making new values like Nietzsche suggests. Instead, he looks back at old stories and history to understand what's going on now. By using ancient myths and history, Eliot tries to see beyond just what's happening in his time. He wants to talk about things like losing hope, feeling let down, and trying to find a way to make things better.

But Eliot using old stuff doesn't mean he's going backwards. It's actually a way for him to talk about things that everyone can understand, no matter where or when they're from. By using these old stories, Eliot's work can still mean something to people today. So, even though Eliot's way of doing things isn't the same as Nietzsche's, it's still a smart way to explore big ideas about being human and figuring out life.

2) PRIOR TO THE SPEECH, GUSTAF HELLSTRÖM OF THE SWEDISH ACADEMY MADE THESE REMARKS:

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS REGARDING THESE COMMENTS? IS IT TRUE THAT GIVING FREE VENT TO THE REPRESSED 'PRIMITIVE INSTINCT' LEAD US TO HAPPY AND SATISFIED LIFE? OR DO YOU AGREE WITH ELIOT'S VIEW THAT 'SALVATION OF MAN LIES IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE CULTURAL TRADITION'?

ANS. 

In his essay "For Lancelot Andrews," Eliot praised him as someone who loves classic literature, supports the king, and follows the Anglo-Catholic religion. Because Eliot comes from a classical and Catholic background, he believes in traditional ideas about being saved. But the idea of being saved is confusing.

On the other hand, Freud thought that embracing our hidden, basic instincts can make life fulfilling, so the idea of being saved doesn't matter.

The idea of being saved is usually connected with religion and means living a simple life without wanting too much. Some religions have strict rules, fasting, and rituals to be saved, which can make people feel stuck following those rules without thinking for themselves.

Being saved is kind of like having a part of your mind that tells you to follow society's rules, like Freud talks about with the "super ego." Freud says we need to balance our basic desires with what society expects from us. His ideas were popular because they talked about the deeper, darker parts of how people think.

But Eliot disagrees with Freud. He thinks being saved is about keeping cultural traditions alive. He believes tradition helps keep things in order and connects people to their heritage, which is still important today. Eliot says being saved is about following culture, which changes over time and affects how people act, helping them find happiness.

3) WRITE ABOUT ALLUSIONS TO THE INDIAN THOUGHTS IN 'THE WASTE LAND'. (WHERE, HOW AND WHY ARE THE INDIAN THOUGHTS REFERRED?

ANS.

In "The Waste Land," T.S. Eliot incorporates elements of Indian thought to deepen the poem's exploration of themes such as spiritual desolation, societal decay, and the search for redemption. By referencing Hindu scripture and philosophy, Eliot brings in a rich tapestry of ideas that resonate throughout the poem.

One striking example is found in the section known as "The Fire Sermon," where Eliot alludes to the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text. The line "Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata." translates to "Give, sympathize, control," encapsulating key principles of charity, compassion, and self-restraint emphasized in Hindu teachings. Through this reference, Eliot underscores the importance of these virtues amidst the fragmentation and disillusionment of modern life.

Moreover, Eliot draws upon the philosophical insights of the Upanishads, ancient texts that explore concepts such as karma, rebirth, and the nature of existence. By weaving these ideas into the fabric of "The Waste Land," Eliot delves into profound questions about the human condition and the quest for meaning in a world marked by spiritual emptiness and cultural decay.

The comparison between the river Thames and mythic rivers like the Ganges serves as a potent metaphor for the contrast between the polluted, lifeless state of modern civilization and the spiritual purity associated with sacred waters in Hinduism. This juxtaposition highlights the disconnection between humanity and the divine, while also suggesting the possibility of spiritual renewal and purification.

Furthermore, Eliot's incorporation of Sanskrit chants, such as "Shantih shantih shantih," adds a transcendent dimension to the poem, imbuing it with a sense of ritualistic solemnity and invoking the universal quest for inner peace and enlightenment. These repeated chants serve as a counterpoint to the chaos and despair depicted in the poem, offering a glimmer of hope and transcendence amidst the darkness.

Overall, Eliot's inclusion of Indian thoughts in "The Waste Land" not only enriches the poem's thematic depth but also reflects his broader interest in drawing from diverse cultural and religious traditions to capture the complexity of the human experience. By integrating these elements, Eliot invites readers to consider alternative perspectives on existence and meaning beyond the confines of Western tradition, ultimately enriching our understanding of the poem and its enduring relevance.

4).IS IT POSSIBLE TO READ 'THE WASTE LAND' AS A PANDEMIC POEM?

ANS.

"The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot can be seen as a poem that reflects how people might feel during a pandemic - confused, lonely, and hopeless. Just like how the world can seem broken during a pandemic, the poem describes a world that is chaotic and doesn't make sense. The empty streets and desolate landscapes in the poem can remind us of the isolation and sadness many feel during a pandemic.

Also, the poem talks about feeling lost, broken, and searching for meaning in a messed-up world, which can relate to how people feel during tough times like a pandemic. And the poem's themes of death, starting over, and trying to make sense of things can mirror the big questions we ask during crises.

So, even though "The Waste Land" wasn't written specifically about a pandemic, it can still help us understand how people might feel and think during such a challenging time.

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