The Waste Land

 This blog is in response to the google classroom activity of The Waste Land which briefly shows the views of Eliot himself and Nietzche over historical myths , culture and tradition as well .It also contains the overview about the poem.

🔎Poem overview :

The Waste Land is an epic poem. Broken into five main parts with 434 lines, The Waste Land is one seriously long poem. Epic poems are generally lengthy narrative poems, and Eliot's poem could certainly be classified as such, even though the poem itself does not follow any sort of defined story line and it is considered one of the most important poems of the 20th century, as well as a modernist masterpiece. A dramatic monologue that changes speakers, locations, and times throughout,

 “The Waste Land” draws on a dizzying array of literary, musical, historical, and popular cultural allusions in order to present the terror, futility, and alienation of modern life in the wake of World War I.

🔎Central theme of the poem :

The Central theme of the poem is Rebirth. The Christ images in the poem, along with the many other religious metaphors, posit rebirth and resurrection as central themes. The Waste Land lies fallow and the Fisher King is impotent; what is needed is a new beginning. Water, for one, can bring about that rebirth, but it can also destroy.

Waste Land - Names of the Five Sections

• I. The Burial of the Dead 
• II. A Game of Chess 
• III. The Fire Sermon 
• IV. Death by Water 
• V. What the Thunder Said 

1) What are your views on the following image after reading 'The Waste Land'? Do you think that Eliot is regressive as compared to Nietzche's views? or Has Eliot achieved universality of thought by recalling mytho-historical answer to the contemporary malaise?

Friedrich Nietzsche, in a passage from his 1887 work On the Genealogy of Morals, set the stage for twentieth-century thought and rejected the possibility of an absolute, objective truth:

" There is only a perspective seeing, only a perspective “knowing”; and the more affects we allow to speak about one thing, the more eyes, different eyes, we can use to observe one thing, the more complete will our concept of this thing, our objectivity be. "

Nietzsche’s goal in this passage was for his readers to make greater demands upon themselves in their explorations and evaluations of subjects; he insisted they consider a multiplicity of viewpoints in the process of formulating their own. One, however, also infers that an individual perspective takes only a relative view of its subject and it is inherently  limited it enjoys no privilege over other views and ultimately it is reflective only of the circumstances in which it is made. 

Eliot implicitly accepted Nietzsche’s view of a more complete objectivity being embodied by multiple perspectives. In his 1919 essay, “Tradition and the Individual Talent,” he describes the poet’s mind as a receptacle for seizing and storing up numberless feelings, phrases, images, which remain there until all the particles which can unite to form a new compound are present together. In poetry, he writes:

 "Experiences are not "recollected," and they finally unite in an atmosphere which is "tranquil" only in that it is a passive attending upon the event. 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. "

 

In short, poetry is the coalescence of multiple perspectives into a single, coherent, and, above all, objective view.

 I find Nietzsche’s concept of “Ubermensch” appropriate. As this concept talking about to have our own morality for the betterment of humanity and our self. The morality which generally accepted and not harmful for society. To have faith in our self make us more powerful to fight against the problems around us and to control our self. So as per my thinking it is better to find new solution rather than going back to the old ones as they will not work for contemporary time same as they didn’t work for old time.

(2) Prior to the speech, Gustaf Hellström of the Swedish Academy made these remarks:

 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'?

I slightly differ form the views of  Eliot. By suppressing the desires or by controlling it the desire get more strong and it also affect at psychological level. It is better to give free vent to primitive instincts as Freud suggest to do.One thing i need to clarify  is that not always what we feel and waht we desire is true also in the context of affecting to others.

For example : Those desires which harms the life of others in any terms either it is big or small we must not do so.

The desires which all normal human beings naturally have should not be suppressed. It is better to give free vent to the desires which leads to the happy and satisfactory life.

3) Write about allusions to the Indian thoughts in 'The Waste Land'. (Where, How and Why are the Indian thoughts referred?)

There are many reference to Indian spirituality in “The wasteland”.  Some of them are here.

1) The Fire Sermon

“The Fire Sermon” is also the name of one of sermon given by Buddha. Gayasisa or Brahmayoni hill, is the place where Buddha taught the fire sermon, in which Buddha preaches about achieving liberation from suffering through detachment from the five senses and mind.

Here Eliot gave same name to the third part of his poem. The whole poem describe the theme of sexual perversion and by referring to this sermon of Buddha because he also wants to convey a message to stay detached from all the senses.

2) River Ganga and Himalaya

"Ganga was sunken, and the limp leaves

Waited for rain, while the black clouds

Gathered far distant, over Himavant."

River Ganga is known for its purity and also for purification. While Himalaya is known for spirituality and peace. Eliot finds the solution of all contemporary problems in spirituality. That is the reason he referrers Ganga and Himalaya here.

3) The Thunder

In Upanishad the Prajapati spoke the message of salvation through thunder which called “Akashvani”. Here Eliot also give reference to Thunder to convey that now the solution of all problems will be given by Thunder, that is the reason he gave name to his 5th part of poem “What the Thunder Said”.

4) Three Da

1) Datta

2) Dayadhvam

3) Damyata

These three Da is spoken by Thunder. Which means this is the way of salvation. The first Da “Datta” means to give. Give sacrifice for others, and help each other. The second Da “Dayadhvam” means sympathies and empathies with others. Third Da “Damyata” means self control, control over the senses. According to Eliot this is the way one could get salvation.

5) Shantih mantra

The Shantih mantra is for inner peace, peace that passes understanding. Eliot ends his poem with this mantra and with hope. The hope of re-birth, end of modern malaises, and growth pf spirituality. To show the hope he ends this poem with Shantih mantra.

Thank you.

Frame Study : Modern literature

 Frame study on Charlie Chaplin's The modern times & The Great dictator

Art of making films

For understanding the art of films we have to consider the following pillers of cinema :

• Theme. Central idea of a film. 
• Screenwriting. Narrative Structure, what makes it good.
• Visual Design. What the scene is made up of. 
• Cinematography. Various points of view the camera can take.
• Editing. Joining shot to shot an combining the video.
• Sound and Music. What we hear?
• Acting. 
• Directing.
• 
  

The Modern Times

It is a story highly based on the frames of life.

Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times, an entertaining piece also serves as a political and social commentary criticizing the flourishing industrialization and commercialization and  of big-business which has developed at the expense of the everyday citizen.

Here the frame depicts about how humans are dependent on "technology(modernism)".Every picture has two sense ,one is positive and the other one is negative.At present frame the same has occured although technology gives us a very comfortable life but the negative side of it is that we now can't live without it .It also helps us when we are in critical situation but every time depending on others either it is technology or human being itself is a false decision.

An another dimension of life is "working" .It is a part of life and in the frame we can clearly identify that how humans are caught into the circular chain of time.Human being's relationship with time is one of similarity and limits.The human life is of four stages:

1.Birth

2.Childhood

3.Adulthood

4.old age or death

Similarly time has four stages over the coarse of a year :

1.spring

2.Summer

3.Fall

4.Winter

Working all the time is not the term that  which shows the correct meaning of discipline but to take a break from the working so-called life is a necessary task to do.

"Crowd "is what this picture shows.If we talk about the modern time this frame might get affected because now it is corana time.At the same time it shows the business of people going for their important works.Now if we connect it through the pandemic nothing is changed  despite there is lockdown or curfew people are getting the sence of how venemous this disease can be for human being.

"Protest"an important part of history till now. From past to present and over future protest is the weapon for satisfaction of various means.    Protesters may organize a protest as a way of publicly making their opinions heard in an attempt to influence public opinion or government policy, or they may undertake direct action in an attempt to enact desired changes themselves.In the frame charlie chaplin is not involved mentally in the protest but the truht is that he is physically involved in it as the frame shows. Directly or indirectly he had became the part of the protest and got its punishment as well to which he was not worthy of!

"Unity" is something which holds the family ultimately the whole world. The frame depicts how there is problems in the family like unemployment , no money ,no food and to all the basic need of life but there is love there is the unity which makes every single member of the family smile.

"Sadness and happiness" in one frame .Like the frustration when we do everthing possible for what we want but fail to get that and the courage that ties us to try and try again for the sake of willingness and love which is the true nature of mankind. Also there are principles inspire success :

1. Believe in yourself. 
2. Work hard. 
3. Take risks. 
4. Keep an open mind. 
5. Accept your limitations. 
6. Treat others with respect and kindness. 
7. Never stop dreaming.

The Great Dictator

The Great Dictator” symbolises  Chaplin  speaks directly to the world, conveying his view that people must rise up against dictators and unite in peace.

The frame shows the "dictatorship" where the head takes all the decisions in the same context if we see here charlie chaplin as Satirizing Adolf Hitler and Nazism and condemning anti-Semitism .Both have their individual postitions at their field but the main difference is that one had make the world laugh and one had make the world cry.

"Fall"that is the ultimate virtue of ones life or sins.The frame shows that is is not important that who you are a king or a beggar ultimately what important is ones virtue the true sense of life.The root cause of sins are Lust, envy, anger, greed but pride is the deadliest of all, the root of all evil, and the beginning of sin.Pride is self-respect and self-esteem.

Thank you...

Modern poems

 

Modern literature

“A poem is good if it contains a new analogy and startles the reader out of the habit of treating words as counters.”

T. E. Hulme

1. "The Embankment‘- T. E. Hulme

Once, in finesse of fiddles found I ecstasy,

In a flash of gold heels on the hard pavement.

Now see I

That warmth’s the very stuff of poesy.

Oh, God, make small

The old star-eaten blanket of the sky,

That I may fold it round me and in comfort lie.

➡Explanation :

The analysis of this short poem available on the internet says “The Embankment is about the fantasia of a fallen gentleman on a cold butter night".

The phrases like 'hard pavement’, ' star-eaten blanket' reflects the harshness of life seen by poet. Star is a symbol of brightness and success but here it denotes a negative meaning.

what is Modernism?

"Modernism” refers to the collective literary trend in the early twentieth century. The early-twentieth century writers broke up the traditional way of writing.

Though it was an age of many inventions, there is darker side of the picture too. This dark side was captured in literature as well.

➡Why this poem is considered as modern poem?

The modernism includes the overall glory of the world with this poem also it contains symbols and imagery which depicts the truth of the human consciousness.

➡Symbols :Gold, cold, old

➡Imagery : Fiddles, Gold heels, star-eaten ,Moth-eaten.

2.) "Darkness" - Joseph Campbell

       Darkness

        I stop to watch a star shine

        in the boghole -

        A star no longer, but a silver

         ribbon of light.

        I look at it and pass on.

➡Explanation :

The title itself reflects the dark shade. Darkness gives us an image of downfall.  'Star' is a symbol of prosperity and brightness means that there was some goodness in civilization but now it's all dark.

If anyone looks at the stars, he or she will sit and admire the beauty of the night, but here post just looks at it and passes on. This reflects the disinterestedness prevalent in modern times.  How modernists were not interested in the so-called brightness of the Victorian age can be seen here. The decayed condition of the civilization is presented.

 

➡Let us see the symbols and imagery

➡Symbols : star

➡Imagery : silver ribbon of light

 3. " Image " 

By Adward storer

Forsaken lovers,

       Burning to a chaste white moon

       Upon strange Pyres of loneliness and

       drought.

 

➡Explanation 

The 'Forsaken lovers' here as the people of civilization are burning. Here 'Burning' gives various meanings. Burning with lust, isolation, so-called ideal thoughts of the Victorians etc. This poem reflects the disillusionment and the brokenness of civilization especially after the World war.

This poem can also be connected to one of the Universal Human Laws depicted to the world.

➡Present poems' Symbols and imagery

➡Symbols : Forsaken lovers

➡Imagery : burning (in various context)

4. "In a station of the Metro" - Ezra Pound

         The apparition of these faces in the

          Crowd;

          Petals on a wet, black bough

➡Explanation :

The title of the poem itself gives an image of the mechanism of life. The lifeless people going for the daily routine. The crowd of people are like living dead. Going for work without any enthusiasm. 'Petals' is used as metaphor for people and 'black bough' for a culture of living dead.

➡Literary concepts

➡Symbols & Metaphor : Petals

➡Imagery : black bough

5." The Pool " - Hilda Doolittle

       Are you alive?

       I touch you

       You quiver trembling like a sea-fish

       I cover you with my net

       What are you- banded one?

➡Explanation :

The title ' The pool' gives us an image of stored water. Water symbolizes purity and rebirth. Here water is in pool it's not flowing which symbolises the rottenness of the civilization.

This poem reflects the lifelessness in the people who are lost in the monotonous life of men dweling to the path of life.

➡Symbols and Imagery found here are

➡Symbols :The pool

➡Imagery : banded one

6.) "Insouciance" – Richard Aldington

       In and out of the dreary trenches

       Trudging cheerily under the stars

       I make for myself little poems

       Delicate as a flock of doves

       They fly away like white-winged

        Doves.

➡Explanation :

This poem has many contrasting images. 'Dreary trenches' is used as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. The words like 'Trudging' and 'cheerily' gives contrasting meaning. These words give the image of life where we are doing many things unwillingly. Last two lines gives another dual image, 'flock of doves' symbolises brightness while 'white-winged dove' symbolises aggressiveness. The writer looks at the ups and downs of life and specially downfall of the humanity during the war. He is not willing to live in the atmosphere around him but he has to do so. Thus he makes a small poem which shows the so-called brightness and his aggressiveness to be free from this hypocrite society.

➡Symbols and Imagery in the poem

➡Symbols : flock of doves ,white-winged dove

➡Imagery : Trudging , cheerily

      

7.) Morning at the Window - T. S. Eliot

They are rattling breakfast plates in basement kitchens,

And along the trampled edges of the street

I am aware of the damp souls of housemaid

Sprouting despondently at area gates.

The brown waves of fog toss up to me

Twisted faces from the bottom of the street,

And tear from a passer-by with muddy skirts

An aimless smile that hovers in the air

 And vanishes along the level of the roofs.

➡Explanation :

Compared to Romanticists, its language & selection of word is totally different.

The word 'Rattling' means vibrating, shaking plates and 'Damp' means in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.

Their soul has become like Damp; lifeless.

'Fog' is also negative word; it doesn't allow you to see the things clearly.

'Twisted faces' also connotes negative sides

'tear' , 'Muddy skirt', 'Aimless smile'

Most of the words are negative. This poem gives images and symbols of the dead spirit in people, doing everything aimlessly. Death of spirit can be seen.

➡Symbols and Imagery

➡Symbols : Twisted faces, Muddy skirt

➡Imagery : Damp souls

8.) The Red Wheelbarrow -William Carlos Williams

so much depends

 upon

a red wheel

barrow

 glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chicken.

➡Explanation :

It's a quite confusing poem. Generally ‘wheelbarrow’ means a small cart with a single wheel at the front and two supporting legs and two handles at the rear, used typically for carrying loads in building work or grad. Here poets put the word separately which gives a different meaning. Barrow alone means an ancient burial mound. Again the words 'rain' and 'water' also symbolises positive and negative. The colours 'red' and 'white' are used in dual way. It makes the poem difficult in understanding.

By reference reading it can be said that the poem is for some child who is dying.  

➡Symbols and Imagery in context of the poem

➡Symbols : Rain and water

➡Imagery : Red and white

9.) Anecdote of the Jar- Wallace Stevens

I placed a jar in Tennessee,  

And round it was, upon a hill.  

It made the slovenly wilderness  

Surround that hill.

The wilderness rose up to it,

And sprawled around, no longer wild.  

The jar was round upon the ground  

And tall and of a port in air.

It took dominion everywhere.  

The jar was gray and bare.

It did not give of bird or bush,  

Like nothing else in Tennessee.

➡Explanation :

This title lets us know that this poem will be about a jar. It may be an allusion also. When we refer to the word 'Tennessee' it is connected with a state. It may be an open related to this place.The 'Jar' symbolises the state which was a simple jar handled by any hand and later become independent. Poem can be seen as a small story of the ‘Jar’; the state of Tennessee.

➡Symbols and Imagery of the present poem

 ➡Symbols :  jar

➡Imagery : Gray

10.‘l (a‘- E. E. Cummings

(l(a... (a leaf falls on loneliness)

l(a

le

af

fa

ll

s)

one

l

iness

➡Explanation :

It is hardly noticable the worth of this poem at first glance but It is a very cleverly arranged poem. It means a leaf fall on loneliness. 'Loneliness' shows the sense of depression prevalent in Europe during 90s. The word 'fall' suggests fall of civilization and fall of spirituality. How a tree becomes barren when the last leaf falls, same is reflected here. Loss of hope can be also seen. In few words the poet has said so much.

It also symbolises inevitable death.

Symbols : fall

Imagery : loneliness