T. S. Eliot: Tradition and Individual Talent

 'Tradition and Individual Talent' by T. S. Eliot 

• How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of Tradition? Do you agree with it?

The concept of Tradition is a complex and multifaceted idea that he developed over the course of his career. At its core, Eliot believed that literature and culture are not created in a vacuum, but are instead deeply rooted in the history and traditions of a particular society. He believed that great writers are those who are able to tap into this tradition and build upon it, rather than rejecting it or trying to create something entirely new.

Eliot argued that tradition is not something that can be consciously created or controlled by individuals, but rather something that emerges organically over time. He believed that it is the duty of the writer to understand and engage with this tradition, to draw upon it in their own work, and to contribute to its ongoing evolution. In this way, literature becomes a living, breathing thing that is constantly evolving and growing.

One of the key components of Eliot's concept of Tradition is the idea of the "objective correlative," which he defined as a set of objects, situations, or events that evoke a particular emotion or mood. He believed that the most effective literature is that which is able to create a powerful and lasting emotional impact on the reader and that this is best achieved by using objective correlatives to tap into deep-seated human emotions.

I do not have to agree or disagree with Eliot's concept of Tradition. However, I can say that it has been widely debated and critiqued by scholars and writers over the years, with some arguing that it places too much emphasis on the past and stifles creativity, while others believe that it provides a valuable framework for understanding the role of literature in society.

• What do you understand by a Historical Sense?

The term "historical sense" was coined by T.S. Eliot and refers to a particular way of experiencing and understanding history. According to Eliot, the historical sense involves more than just an awareness of the fact that events occurred in the past; it is a deeper, more intuitive understanding of history that recognizes the ongoing presence of the past in the present.

The historical sense means being able to see the ways in which the past continues to shape and influence the present, both in terms of cultural traditions and individual experiences. This involves recognizing the ways in which past events, ideas, and experiences continue to resonate and influence us today, even if we may not always be aware of it.

His historical sense is about developing a sense of context and perspective that allows us to see the connections between different periods of history and between different cultures and societies. It is about recognizing the ways in which our own experiences and beliefs are shaped by the cultural and historical forces that have come before us.

• "The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past but of its presence."

This quote is from Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent" which suggests that the historical sense is not just about recognizing the pastness of the past, but about seeing the ways in which the past continues to exist and exert its influence in the present. Eliot believed that the historical sense is an essential quality for writers and artists, as it allows them to create works that are deeply rooted in their own cultural and historical contexts while also speaking to broader human experiences.

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. 

The historical sense is a key aspect of what makes a writer "traditional." By this, he means that a writer who possesses a historical sense is able to see and appreciate the connections between past and present, and is able to draw upon the wisdom and insights of past generations to create works that are both timely and timeless. A traditional writer is not one who simply follows established conventions or imitates the styles and themes of the past, but one who is able to creatively engage with the past and bring it into dialogue with the present. This involves a deep understanding of cultural traditions, as well as a willingness to critically examine and question those traditions in light of contemporary concerns.

By integrating the timeless and the temporal into their work, traditional writer is able to create works that are both relevant to their own time and place, and that also speaks to broader human experiences and concerns. 

The historical sense is an essential quality for any writer who seeks to create works that are enduring and meaningful across time and culture.

• What is the relationship between “tradition” and “the individual talent,” according to the poet T. S. Eliot? 

Tradition and individual talent are intricately connected. Eliot believed that great writers are those who are able to tap into the cultural and literary traditions of their society and use these traditions as a springboard for their own creative work. Eliot also believed that writers must bring their own unique talents and perspectives to their work in order to make a meaningful contribution to the tradition. In this sense, the relationship between tradition and individual talent is a dynamic one, with each influencing and shaping the other.

• 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".

Eliot uses Shakespeare as an example of someone who was able to absorb knowledge from a relatively limited source - in this case, the works of the ancient Greek historian Plutarch. Shakespeare was able to extract a wealth of essential historical knowledge from Plutarch's works, even though he did not have access to the vast resources of the British Museum.

Shakespeare possessed a special talent for synthesizing information and extracting the most essential insights from it. By contrast, other individuals may have to work much harder to gain the same level of understanding.

• Explain: 

"Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry" (From T.S. Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent")

This quote, suggests that the proper focus of literary criticism should be on the work of art itself, rather than on the artist who created it.  criticism should aim to understand and appreciate the poetry itself, rather than trying to judge or evaluate the personal qualities or intentions of the poet.

Eliot argues that the poet's personality, background, and other external factors are largely irrelevant when it comes to understanding and appreciating their work. Instead, the focus should be on the poem itself - its form, language, imagery, and themes. Eliot believed that the meaning and value of a poem should be judged on its own merits, rather than on the basis of external factors.

Eliot is advocating for an objective and dispassionate approach to literary criticism, one that is focused solely on the work of art itself. He suggests that by analyzing the poetry in this way, critics can gain a deeper understanding of the work and its place within the larger tradition of literature, and can appreciate it in a more sensitive and nuanced way.

• Explain Eliot's theory of depersonalization?

The theory of depersonalization is based on the idea that the poet should strive to remove his or her own personality from the poem, in order to create a work of art that is objective and universal. Eliot believed that the personal qualities and experiences of the poet could sometimes interfere with the creation of great poetry, by introducing subjective biases and limitations.

Just as the platinum catalyst does not take part in the reaction, but facilitates its occurrence, the poet's personal experiences and emotions do not take center stage in the poem, but rather act as a catalyst for the creation of a work of art that speaks to universal human experience. Eliot believed that through depersonalization, the poet could create works of art that would stand the test of time and have a lasting impact on the literary tradition.

• 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."

When we experience strong emotions in our daily lives, we may feel overwhelmed or lost in our own subjectivity. However, when we encounter a work of art like poetry, we can be transported to a realm beyond our own emotions and individual perspectives. Poetry allows us to escape from the narrow confines of our personal experience, and enter into a world that is both familiar and transcendent.

Eliot believed that the best poetry is not simply a reflection of the poet's personality, but a work of art that stands on its own merits, apart from the author's individual identity. By depersonalizing their work, the poet can create a work of art that speaks to universal human experiences and emotions, rather than simply reflecting the idiosyncrasies of their own personality.

Eliot's theory of depersonalization in poetry also translated into his approach to criticism. He believed that criticism should focus solely on the work itself, rather than the author's personal life or intentions. Critics argue that this approach can be limiting, as it does not take into account the context and circumstances in which the work was created. Additionally, some argue that Eliot's depersonalization approach could lead to a lack of empathy or understanding for the author's perspective, and could result in overly harsh or dismissive criticism.

• Critique for T.S. Eliot as a critic:

Eliot's theory of depersonalization in poetry also translated into his approach to criticism. He believed that criticism should focus solely on the work itself, rather than the author's personal life or intentions. Critics argue that this approach can be limiting, as it does not take into account the context and circumstances in which the work was created. Additionally, some argue that Eliot's depersonalization approach could lead to a lack of empathy or understanding for the author's perspective, and could result in overly harsh or dismissive criticism.

• Someone said: 

“The dead writers are remote from us because we know so much more than they did.” Precisely, and they are that which we know. https://mumblewords.net/2019/03/06/classic-essays-ts-elliots-tradition-the-individual-talent/

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