T. S. Eliot- Criticism- Tradition and The Individual Talent.

"Essays Unveiled: Navigating the Landscape of Criticism, Tradition, and  Individual Talent"

Thise is a blog task assigned by our professor dr.Dilip Barad. In thise blog I'll go through first the introduction and then there are several questions which I'll discuss.

T. S. Eliot (1888 - 1965):

      

               Thomas Stearns Eliot was a poet, essayist, publisher, playwright, literary critic and editor. He is considered to be one of the 20th century's greatest poets, as well as a central figure in English-language Modernist poetry. His trials in language, writing style, and verse structure stimulated English poetry. He is also noted for his critical essays, which often reevaluated long-held cultural beliefs.

Poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" from 1914 to 1915, which, at the time of its publication, was considered outlandish. It was followed by The Waste Land (1922), "The Hollow Men" (1925), "Ash Wednesday" (1930), and Four Quartets (1943). He was also known for seven plays, particularly Murder in the Cathedral (1935) and The Cocktail Party (1949). He was awarded the 1948 Nobel Prize in Literature, "for his outstanding, pioneer contribution to present-day poetry".

Brief overview of the essay:

Eliot states that the word traditional is rarely talked about in terms of writing, except in a derogatory sense. At least, the word is seldom used to praise writers, either living or dead ones. This is because readers often look for the way a writer stands out from their predecessors before appreciating their work. Eliot seeks to remove this prejudice, claiming that the best parts of a poem are actually the ones that are alive with the past.

However, by “following tradition,” Eliot does not mean imitating one’s most recent ancestors. Instead, he means that a traditional poet has a “historical sense” which makes them conscious of the whole past as if it were the present. Together, all poetry makes up a simultaneous whole that is changed by new poetry and guided by old poetry. Eliot goes on to claim that a critic cannot value contemporary poetry without setting it in relation to poetry of the past. The past and the present works measure each other, the new conforming to the old and the old adjusting itself to include the new.

Eliot states that the traditional poet is aware of the entire flow of time, which is always developing but never abandoning anything or improving. Art never improves but only develops. The present is only different from the past in that it understands the past in a way that the past can’t understand itself. The immature poet won’t understand this.

Eliot next addresses some objections that say his vision of poetry involves too much learning that gets in the way of a poet’s intuition and spontaneity. Eliot explains that it doesn’t matter how much material the poet uses to obtain their knowledge, only that the poet develops a consciousness of the past throughout their life. In this process, the poet surrenders constantly to the greater value of their work.

Eliot claims that the poet is not remarkable because of their own personal experiences. In fact, the poet may even have a boring life while still being a good poet. What’s more, seeking new experiences does not help the poet enrich their poetry because artistic emotion is of an entirely different form than personal emotion. Poetry is not an expression of emotion and personality, but rather an escape from both.

Now let's discuss some of the questions based on the Eliot's Essay ' Tradition and the Individual Talent.' 

Q. How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of Tradition? Do you agree with it? What do you understand by Historical Sense?  "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:-T.S.Eliot's concept of Tradition, as expounded in his essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," is a complex exploration of the relationship between the past and the present in the context of literary creation. Eliot challenges the standard view that artistic innovation results from the great intellect of an individual, proposing instead a more fine understanding of tradition.

The quote "The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past but of its presence" underscores Eliot's emphasis on perceiving the past not as a distant entity but as an ever-present force shaping the current moment. Eliot argues that the historical sense is a crucial aspect of tradition, requiring an awareness of both the timeless and temporal dimensions of culture.

In Eliot's view, tradition is not a mere repetition of the past but a dynamic process where each new work contributes to the evolving cultural heritage. The writer, through the historical sense, engages with tradition by blending the enduring elements of the timeless with the specificities of the temporal. This integration of the timeless and temporal is what distinguishes a writer as traditional in Eliot's framework.

The essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent" proposes that the poet's creative process involves a dissociation of sensibility, where the poet transcends personal emotions to capture universal and timeless experiences. Eliot argues that the poet's work becomes a part of a larger literary tradition, and the individual talent is only valuable in its ability to contribute to and enrich this ongoing tradition.

Eliot's concept of tradition challenges the notion of complete originality, suggesting that true innovation arises from a deep engagement with and transformation of existing cultural and literary forms. While I don't hold personal opinions, Eliot's ideas have significantly influenced literary criticism by encouraging a broader understanding of the interplay between individual creativity and the cultural continuum of tradition.

Q. What is the relationship between "tradition" and "individual talent," according to the poet T. S. Eliot?

Ans:- He suggests that the poet should be aware of the literary tradition and view their work as part of a larger, ongoing conversation. The poet, according to Eliot, becomes a medium through which the entire tradition expresses itself, and the past influences and shapes the present.

Eliot emphasizes the importance of an artist's openness to tradition, stating that an individual's talent is best showcased when it interacts with the existing body of work. He encourages a fusion of the old and the new, where the artist transforms the tradition through a personal and original expression.

Eliot's perspective on the relationship between tradition and individual talent revolves around the idea that creative innovation emerges from a deep understanding and engagement with the cultural and literary heritage, rather than a complete departure from it.

Q. 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 refers to the varying abilities people have to acquire knowledge. Shakespeare is praised for absorbing essential history from Plutarch, contrasting with the idea that others might need to exert more effort, symbolized by sweating, to gain the same knowledge. In the context of T.S. Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," this highlights the diverse ways of artists to engage with tradition. Some, like Shakespeare, effortlessly absorb it, while others might need more laborious efforts to draw from the cultural reservoir, emphasizing the complex relationship between tradition and individual creativity.

Q. Explain: "Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation are directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry." 

Ans:-In T.S. Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," the quote emphasizes the importance of separating the poet from their work. "Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation" should focus on the poetry itself rather than the personal qualities or intentions of the poet. This concept suggests that understanding and evaluating poetry should be based on the intrinsic qualities of the work, its form, language, and artistic merit, rather than subjective opinions about the poet's character or background. Eliot encourages readers to engage with the the poem independently, considering its artistic value rather than being swayed by external factors related to the poet.

Q. 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:-T.S. Eliot's theory of depersonalization, as outlined in "Tradition and the Individual Talent," draws parallels with a chemical reaction where the poet acts as a catalyst. In this metaphor, the poet's role is to transform raw emotions and personal experiences into a poetic work. Much like platinum in a chemical reaction, the poet remains unaffected and separate from the transformative process, allowing the poem to emerge as a combination of tradition and the individual talent.

Eliot argues that effective poetry results from the depersonalization of the poet, as they channel their emotions through a medium that go beyond their individual identity. This concept range with the idea that genuine artistic creation involves a synthesis of personal expression and adherence to literary tradition. The poet, like a catalyst, facilitates this synthesis without becoming consumed by personal subjectivity, contributing to the continuity and evolution of literary tradition.

Q. 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:- According to T. S. Eliot, the poet's task is to reshape and rejuvenate existing literary conventions, contributing to the ongoing evolution of artistic expression. In this way, Eliot encourages a more objective and timeless approach to poetry, challenging the notion of poetry solely as a subjective outpouring of personal feelings.

Convolution and Elitism: Some critics argue that T.S. Eliot's criticism, particularly in works like "The Sacred Wood" and "Tradition and the Individual Talent," can be overly complex and elitist. His emphasis on a literary tradition and his sometimes obscure references may alienate readers who are not well-versed in classical literature or intellectual history, potentially limiting the accessibility of his critical insights.

Neglect of Social and Political Context: Another point of critique revolves around Eliot's perceived neglect of social and political context in his literary analysis. Critics argue that his focus on the individual talent and tradition may downplay the importance of considering broader societal issues in literature. Some assert that Eliot's criticism could be criticized for its apparent detachment from the socio-political realities of the time, as it tends to prioritize the artistic and intellectual aspects of literature over its potential societal impact.

Below are several videos which will give solution to all the questions.

Thank you🌻.