"The Waste Land"

Hello viewers!👋

I am Maya Batiya, 

A student of M.A. sem-2 department of English, M.K.B.U.

This Blog is a part of Thinking Activity about The Waste Land. 

_Assigned by Dilip Barad sir.. 

T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," a seminal work of modernist poetry, offers a poignant portrayal of societal decay and spiritual desolation. Eliot's avant-garde approach challenged conventional poetic forms, reshaping the landscape of 20th-century literature. Through its five distinct sections, the poem delves into themes of disillusionment, fragmentation, and the quest for renewal amidst a spiritually barren world.
1. The Burial of the Dead
2. A Game of Chess
3. The Fire Sermon
4. Death by Water
5. What the Thunder Said
"The Waste Land" delves into themes of spiritual desolation, societal decay, and the loss of hope for regeneration. Through its sections like "The Burial of the Dead," "A Game of Chess," "The Fire Sermon," "Death by Water," and "What the Thunder Said," T.S. Eliot crafts a narrative that reflects the fragmentation and disillusionment of the modern world. Using symbols like April's cruelty and references to ancient myths and religious texts, Eliot paints a vivid picture of a society grappling with spiritual barrenness and existential despair.

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:
   Nietzsche talks about the term ' Superhuman', 'Superman', 'Übermensch' significantly used in Also Sprach Zarathustra (1883-1885). In which we find that, If God is dead then the superhuman or overhuman is the gift that can now be presented to humankind. Maybe each and every problem will be solved by superman. The teachings of the superhuman is a kind of continuation of the subject of man. Superhuman is a continuation in the future as an ideal rather than a realistic goal.

 As compared to Nietzche's views T.S.Eliot was significantly regressive. If we look at the poem The Waste Land then we find that Eliot tries to find solutions from the history of world literature. Weather in the side of Nietzsche we can say that he was progressive because he thought differently for the sake of human beings. He was thinking in progressive way but we can't say that is great but that is also problematic. The Characteristics of a superhuman that is something dangerous, there may be alake of morals.

 And Yes, Eliot achieved universality of thought by recalling mytho-historical answers to the contemporary malaises in the famous poem The Waste Land (1922).

There are references of Indian River, a mountain that is familiar to the Indian readers. Like .. 

Ganga was sunken, and the limp leaves
Waited for rain, while the black clouds
Gathered far distant, over Himavant.
The jungle crouched, humped in silence. 

    Here we find that Eliot refers to Wisdom of India for spiritual salvation of modern humanity.

 The most influential thing is that last part 'What the Thunder Said' in which we find that the three Da. 

Datta : Be a giver
Dayadham : Empathise
Damyata : Self- Control

These three tendencies are originally in Upanishads. Prajapati who taught his children God (devah), Humanbeing (Manushyah), Demon (asurah). The practice of these virtues will preserve, promote and enhance the value of life. Men themselves are distinguished into these three classes according to their lack of self control and possession of the defects or according to the tendencies of the three gunas.

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ 

  This particular shloka is in invocation and at the last of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishads. Here in The Waste Land the meaning of the Shanti is 'peace that passeth all understanding'. Poet discussed all the malaises of modern times and at last he was giving solutions and then he wanted peace.


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'?

Freud cautioned against unchecked expression of primitive instincts, warning of potential societal chaos. He acknowledged the allure of personal satisfaction but highlighted the potential harm it could inflict on others. In contrast, Eliot championed discipline and organization, advocating for collective growth and tradition preservation. While Freud emphasized individual progress, Eliot underscored the importance of societal cohesion. Both viewpoints offer valuable perspectives on balancing personal fulfillment with social harmony.
 
3) Write about allusions to the Indian thoughts in 'The Waste Land'. (Where, How and Why are the Indian thoughts referred?

The allusions to Indian thoughts in "The Waste Land" are evident in several sections of the poem. References to the Upanishads, Ganga, Himavat, and concepts like the soul and spiritual salvation highlight T.S. Eliot's incorporation of Indian philosophy for addressing modern humanity's spiritual needs. The poem's exploration of themes like resurrection, compassion, and inner peace resonates with elements of Indian philosophical thought, offering insights into existential questions and the human condition.

Additionally, interpreting "The Waste Land" as a pandemic poem aligns with historical context and Eliot's personal experience with the Spanish flu. The fragmented structure of the poem mirrors the disorienting effects of illness, while symbols like the rat and images of sickness and isolation reflect the pandemic's impact on society. The presence of silence throughout the poem further underscores themes of isolation and suffering associated with the pandemic, suggesting a deeper exploration of illness and its aftermath.

Is it possible to read 'The Waste Land' as a Pandemic Poem?
Yes, it's possible to interpret "The Waste Land" as a pandemic poem, particularly considering T.S. Eliot's personal experience with the Spanish flu pandemic and the thematic elements present in the poem. The fragmented structure, somber imagery, and themes of sickness, isolation, and silence can be seen as reflections of the aftermath of a pandemic. Additionally, scholars have explored connections between Eliot's own experiences with illness during the pandemic and the themes present in the poem, further supporting this interpretation.
"The Waste Land" serves as a haunting testament to the aftermath of the Spanish flu pandemic, with Eliot's personal experience and broader societal impact reflected in its fragmented structure and somber imagery. The poem portrays a world ravaged by sickness, isolation, and silence, capturing the physical and psychological toll of the pandemic. Through its vivid imagery and one-sided conversations, Eliot paradoxically gives voice to the silence of illness, shaping a narrative that resonates with the lingering effects of the pandemic on individuals and society.


Thank you... 😇🍂🍁

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