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

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

        Hello everyone! Welcome to My blog! I'm Priyanshi and this blog is part of bridge course which was given by Dilip sir.

☆ Eliot's concept of Tradition: -

 

 T.S. Eliot, a renowned poet and critic, had a profound and complex view of tradition, which he articulated in his influential essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent" and reflected in his poetry. For Eliot, tradition was not merely the adherence to past forms or the uncritical repetition of what came before. Instead, he saw tradition as a dynamic force that shapes an artist's creative process and influences their work.

Eliot believed that tradition was not about blindly following the past but engaging with it actively and creatively. He argued that for an artist to create something new and meaningful, they must have a deep understanding and appreciation of the literary and cultural heritage that preceded them. This understanding of tradition doesn't imply imitation but rather a profound assimilation and transformation of the existing artistic and cultural conventions.

In "Tradition and the Individual Talent," Eliot introduced the concept of the "historical sense," emphasizing the importance of the artist's awareness of the literary tradition. He suggested that every new work of art should be seen in the context of the entire artistic tradition. The artist, according to Eliot, is a part of this continuous tradition, and their work is influenced by the past while also contributing to the ongoing evolution of art.

Eliot introduced the idea of the "dissociation of sensibility," pointing out a perceived separation between thought and feeling in the modern world compared to earlier periods. He believed that a restoration of this unity was crucial for the artist to engage with tradition effectively. This reintegration involved the artist's ability to blend their personal emotions and experiences with the larger cultural and historical consciousness.

Furthermore, Eliot emphasized the concept of the "impersonal theory of poetry," suggesting that true artistry involves transcending the personal ego and expressing universal truths and emotions. This idea connects to his view of tradition, as he believed that by immersing oneself in the tradition, an artist gains a deeper understanding of these universal elements and can convey them through their work.

Eliot’s own poetry reflects his ideas on tradition. In "The Waste Land," for instance, he weaves together various literary allusions and cultural references, creating a fragmented yet interconnected narrative that draws from myth, history, and contemporary society. His poetry embodies his belief in the interplay between the individual artist and the vast cultural inheritance.

In briefly we can say that Eliot's concept of tradition encompasses a deep respect for the past, a continuous engagement with the artistic and cultural heritage, and a transformative approach that allows the artist to contribute to the ongoing evolution of art. Tradition, for Eliot, is not static but a living, evolving force that shapes and informs the creative process, guiding the artist in their endeavor to produce work that resonates across time and speaks to the universal human experience.

☆Relationship between "Tradition" and "Individual talent", according to the poet T.S Eliot: 

   T.S. Eliot's exploration of the relationship between "Tradition" and "Individual Talent" is a central theme in his essay titled "Tradition and the Individual Talent." In this essay, Eliot delves into the intricate connection between the two seemingly contrasting concepts, emphasizing how they are interdependent rather than mutually exclusive.

    Tradition, according to Eliot, is not a mere accumulation of the past; rather, it's a living continuum that shapes and influences the present and the future. It encompasses the entirety of literary and cultural heritage passed down through generations. Eliot sees tradition as an organic process that evolves over time, containing the accumulated wisdom, experiences, and artistic expressions of the past.

       On the other hand, individual talent represents the unique creativity and artistic expression of the individual. Eliot recognizes the importance of the artist's personal contribution to the artistic world. However, he does not view individual talent as something isolated or detached from the broader context of tradition.

    Eliot asserts that an artist's relationship with tradition is fundamental to the development and expression of their individual talent. He argues that true originality or creative genius doesn't emerge from a complete break with the past but rather from a profound engagement with it. The individual talent is not just a product of personal inspiration; it is deeply influenced by and in dialogue with the existing tradition.

      Eliot's concept of tradition suggests that an artist's creativity is enriched and shaped by their immersion in the literary and cultural heritage. Understanding and respecting the tradition provide the artist with a framework, a set of references, and a foundation upon which they can build their own creative contributions.

    Ultimately, Eliot's perspective on the relationship between tradition and individual talent suggests that the most innovative and profound artistic creations emerge from a fusion of the artist's individuality with a deep understanding and engagement with the rich tapestry of tradition. Individual talent finds its truest expression when it is in dialogue with and emerges from the dynamic and evolving continuum of tradition.

☆ 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."

   This quote is all about how different people learn. It says that some folks are really good at picking up information easily - they can absorb knowledge without much effort. On the other hand, there are people who need to work a lot harder to learn things; they have to put in a lot of effort and work hard to understand and remember stuff.

    Now, it brings up Shakespeare, the famous playwright. It's saying that Shakespeare was someone who could learn a ton from a single source, like the historian Plutarch. He got so much valuable history and understanding from Plutarch's writings that it was like he learned more than what most people could gather from exploring the entire British Museum. And that's a big deal!

   The British Museum is this huge place full of all sorts of historical things - old artifacts, documents, and lots of information. It's like a treasure trove of history. But even with all that stuff in the British Museum, the quote suggests that Shakespeare, through his ability to deeply understand and learn from Plutarch, gained more essential knowledge than most people could get from exploring all of that museum's collection.

In simpler words, it's like saying some people are like super sponges for knowledge - they can soak up a lot with ease. Others have to work really hard to get the same amount of understanding. Shakespeare was praised for being a super sponge when it came to learning from Plutarch, getting so much valuable info from one source that it seemed like he'd learned more than what most folks could from exploring an entire treasure trove of history like the British Museum.

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

    This quote is all about how we look at and talk about poems or any kind of writing. It says that when we talk about a poem, we should focus on the actual words and meaning in the poem itself, not so much on the person who wrote it.

   So, instead of judging or talking about the poet's character or personal life, we should really pay attention to the poem itself - the words, the feelings it creates, and what it's trying to say. It's like looking closely at a painting and talking about the colors, shapes, and feelings it evokes, rather than discussing the painter's life.

  When the quote mentions "honest criticism," it means giving fair and truthful feedback about the poem. It's about saying what you really think about the poem itself - whether you liked it or didn't, what parts you found strong or weak - without bringing in personal judgments about the poet. And "sensitive appreciation" means understanding and valuing the emotions and thoughts that the poem expresses. It's about really feeling and understanding what the poem is trying to communicate.

in briefly, this quote is saying that when we talk about poems or any written work, we should focus on discussing and critiquing the actual writing and its meaning, rather than talking about the person who wrote it. It's like separating the painting from the painter and appreciating the art for what it is, without getting caught up in who made it.

☆Eliot's theory of depersonalization:

  T.S. Eliot's theory of depersonalization in poetry is about how a poet should strive to remove their personal emotions and experiences from their work. Instead, they should aim to create a piece of art that stands on its own, separate from the poet's individual feelings and life.

   Now, imagine a chemical reaction as a way to understand this idea. Think of a chemical reaction where two substances, let's say substance A and substance B, combine to form a new substance, substance C. Normally, this reaction might happen slowly or might not even occur without some help. Here's where the catalyst, like platinum, comes into play. A catalyst is something that speeds up a reaction without getting used up in the process. So, in our reaction, platinum helps substance A and substance B react faster and more efficiently to form substance C, but the platinum itself remains unchanged.

     In Eliot's theory, the poet is like the catalyst. The poet's personal emotions and experiences are substance A and substance B - they're important ingredients, just like in the reaction. But the poet should act like the catalyst, the platinum. Instead of the poet's emotions being the main focus or getting 'used up' in the poem, they should catalyze the creation of something new, which is the poem itself - substance C.

   So, Eliot's theory suggests that a poet's personal feelings and experiences should be used to catalyze the creation of a poem, but the final result, the poem, should stand independently, almost as if it has its own life and meaning apart from the poet.

  Much like how platinum helps the reaction without being changed itself, the poet's personal emotions should aid in creating the poem without the poem becoming solely about the poet's feelings. It's about creating a piece of art that lives and breathes on its own, beyond the poet's individual experiences.

   In simple terms, Eliot's theory of depersonalization is like a poet being a catalyst in a chemical reaction: they use their emotions to speed up the creation of a poem, but the final poem should exist independently, separate from the poet's personal feelings, just like the platinum doesn’t change in the chemical reaction.

☆ 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 perspective on poetry as an escape from emotion and personality can be critiqued in a couple of ways:

1. Emotional Disconnect: Eliot's view that poetry serves as an escape from emotion rather than an expression of it can be criticized for creating a distance between the poet and the readers. Poetry, for many, is a means of connecting with emotions, both for the poet and the audience. By suggesting that poetry is an escape from emotion, Eliot's perspective might undermine the empathetic and emotional resonance that poetry can create. Critics argue that the richness of poetry often lies in its ability to evoke and share emotions, fostering empathy and understanding among readers. By advocating an escape from emotions, Eliot's view might limit the emotional depth and impact that poetry can have on its audience.

2. Depersonalization and Authenticity: Eliot's emphasis on escaping from personality in poetry might face criticism for potentially sacrificing authenticity and relatability. Poetry often draws from personal experiences, perspectives, and unique voices, allowing readers to connect with the poet's individuality. By advocating for depersonalization, Eliot's perspective could be seen as suppressing the authenticity of poetic expression. Critics argue that removing the poet's personality from their work might result in poems that feel detached or lacking in genuine emotion. The personal touch and authenticity in a poet's work are often what resonate deeply with readers, allowing them to relate and find meaning in the verses. Eliot's approach might be criticized for overlooking the significance of the poet's voice and experiences in creating impactful and relatable poetry.

  In essence, while Eliot's viewpoints provided a different lens to perceive poetry, they can be critiqued for potentially disconnecting the emotional resonance between the poet and the audience and sacrificing the authenticity and relatability that often characterize powerful poetic works. Critics might argue for a more balanced approach that acknowledges the importance of emotions and the poet's personality in creating meaningful and impactful poetry.

Thank you!!