What method does Eliot suggest for the assessment of the poets wrongly called the metaphysicals by Johnson? What would such a method lead to?

Answer

What method does Eliot suggest for the assessment of the poets wrongly called the metaphysicals by Johnson? What would such a method lead to? [NU: 2019]

S. Eliot (1888-1965) was a famous modern critic and poet. In “The Metaphysical Poets” (1921), Eliot writes about groups of English poets. Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), another critic, called some poets “metaphysical.” But Eliot says Johnson was not always correct. Eliot suggests a new method to assess these poets. He believes this will lead to better understanding. Let us analyze Eliot’s ideas.

Johnson’s Classification Problem: Dr. Samuel Johnson grouped some poets as “metaphysical.” Johnson thought these poets were sharp but sometimes too clever. He believed their poems forced ideas together. Johnson often judged them by style, not by meaning. He said,

“The most heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together.”

This means Johnson saw their images as unnatural. He focused on strangeness, not true poetic value. Eliot disagrees with this way of judging. He thinks the label “metaphysical” is often used wrongly.

Eliot’s Suggested Method: Eliot does not accept Johnson’s views blindly. He suggests a different method of assessment. Eliot says we should look at the poets’ sensibility. Sensibility means the way a poet joins thought and feeling. Eliot believes this is the key to understanding poetry. He writes,

“The poets of the seventeenth century… possessed a mechanism of sensibility which could devour any kind of experience.”

This quote shows Eliot’s method is about depth, not surface style. He says critics should study how poets think, feel, and put things together. Assessment should focus on the unity in their work. Not only on clever words or strange ideas.

Comparing Poets Through Their Experiences: Eliot suggests comparing the poets’ experiences. He asks critics to see how poets use life’s events. Good poets join many things together in their work. Eliot writes,

“When a poet’s mind is perfectly equipped for its work, it is constantly amalgamating disparate experience.”

This quote supports his advice for critics. Instead of looking at only one poem, look at many. See how different life parts show in their lines. This helps us find real value. It shows which poets have true creative power. Sensibility is what matters most in this method.

Looking for Unity, Not Just Wit: Eliot wants critics to search for unity. He does not want them to judge only by wit or oddity. Poets’ power comes from mixing emotions, thoughts, and images. Eliot admires poets who can blend things smoothly. He mentions it as

“Fidelity to thought and feeling.”

This quote tells us to check a poet’s honesty. Are they true to life and emotion? If yes, they are strong poets, even if called “metaphysical.” Critics should stop using labels without real study. True value comes from strong, united poetry.

What Will Eliot’s Method Lead To: Eliot explains the result of his method. Assessing poets by sensibility changes how we see them. Many poets, wrongly grouped together, would be better understood. Critics would see their unity and depth. Poetry study would become fairer and richer. Eliot’s way would rescue some poets from a bad name. It would stop the unfair use of the label “metaphysical.” Readers could then discover more beautiful and brave poems. Poetry as a subject would be more exciting and true.

To sum up, Eliot disagrees with Johnson’s way of judging poets. He suggests judging them by unity of mind and feeling, or sensibility. This method finds deeper truth in poetry. It leads to a better, more honest study of poets. Eliot’s idea is still helpful for students and poetry lovers today.