Write an essay on Eliot’s classicism

Answer

Question: Write an essay on Eliot’s classicism. 

T.S. Eliot (1888 – 1965), in his seminal essay “Tradition and the Individual Talent” (1919), presents a classicist approach to poetry. His classicist approach emphasizes the importance of tradition and the artist’s relationship to it. Eliot suggests that true artistic expression arises from a deep engagement with the literary tradition and that the individual artist must involve their ego in service of the timeless and universal themes of poetry.

Emphasis on Tradition: Eliot argues that tradition plays a crucial role in shaping the work of the poet. He states, 

“Every nation, every race, has not only its own creative, but its own critical turn of mind.” 

This highlights the idea that each culture has its literary tradition that influences the creative process of its poets. Eliot believes that poets should not reject tradition but should instead embrace it as a source of inspiration and guidance.

The Poet’s Relation to the Past: According to Eliot, the poet’s significance lies in their relation to the dead poets and artists. Here, Eliot emphasizes the poet’s position within a continuum of literary history. This suggests that the past informs and enriches the present. He states, 

“You cannot value him alone; you must set him, for contrast and comparison, among the dead.” 

The impersonality of Art: Eliot concludes by advocating for the impersonality of art. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the poetry itself rather than the personal history of the poet. This underscores the idea that true appreciation of poetry requires a focus on the art itself, independent of the poet’s personal attributes. He states, 

“The emotion of art is impersonal… And the poet cannot reach this impersonality without surrendering himself wholly to the work to be done”. 

Escape from Personality: Eliot argues that poetry is an escape from personality. This suggests that the artist must transcend their individual identity in order to tap into the collective consciousness of humanity. The artist should create art that resonates across time and culture. He states, 

“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.” 

Use of Ordinary Emotions in Poetry: Contrary to the notion of seeking out new emotions, Eliot suggests that poetry should focus on using ordinary emotions to express deeper feelings. This reveals the universality of human emotions and their ability to resonate with readers across time and culture. He writes, 

“The business of the poet is not to find new emotions, but to use the ordinary ones.” 

Focus on Poetry: Eliot emphasizes that honest criticism should be directed towards the poetry itself, not the poet. This means that the value of poetry lies in its own merits rather than the personal qualities or experiences of the poet. He writes, 

“Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation are directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry.”

In conclusion, T.S. Eliot’s essay “Tradition and the Individual Talent” presents a classicist approach to poetry. The essay emphasizes the importance of tradition, depersonalization, and the focus on the poetry itself. Eliot’s ideas continue to influence literary criticism and poetic theory. It highlights the enduring relevance of classicism in the study of literature.