s:
“The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence.”
This means that when a poet writes, he must be aware of all that has been written before him. His new poem should not destroy the past but should fit into that old order and add something new to it. Eliot’s classicism teaches this balance — respect for the old and creation of the new at the same time.
Impersonality in Art: Eliot’s idea of impersonality also shows his classical attitude. According to him, poetry should not be a personal confession or emotional outburst. It should be a carefully made piece of art. He writes:
“Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion.”
This means that a poet should not directly write about his personal feelings. He should use his emotions as materials to create something higher and impersonal. This view is opposite to the Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Shelley. The Romantic poets freely expressed their own feelings. Eliot argues that art needs discipline and control, not emotional outpouring.
Unity, Order, and Reason: Eliot’s classicism gives great importance to order, reason, and unity in poetry. According to him, great art must have a clear structure and logic. The poet should depend not only on emotion but also on thought and knowledge. Eliot’s love for writers like Dante and the metaphysical poets comes from this sense of balance and intellect. His love for form and order makes him close to classical thinkers, who valued rules over wild imagination.
European and Universal Outlook: Eliot’s classicism is not limited to England. He sees European literature as a single, united tradition. He believes that the poet should know “the mind of Europe,” not just his own small country or only his private mind.
“He must be aware that the mind of Europe… much more important than his own private mind.”
Eliot, in his famous poem “The Waste Land” (1922), uses classical myths to discuss modern problems. By joining the old with the new, he has made his poetry rich, deep, and universal.
Criticism of Romanticism: Eliot’s classical ideas are also a reaction against Romanticism. Romantic poets believed that poetry should express personal feelings and imagination without limits. Eliot rejects this. He says that a great poet must sacrifice his personal self and become a part of the larger tradition. In this way, Eliot’s classicism stands against the emotional self-expression of Romanticism.
In conclusion, Eliot’s classicism stands for discipline, tradition, and impersonal art. He believes that poetry should express universal truth, not private emotion. His love of order, unity, and control has made him a true modern classicist.
Continue Reading
Subscribe to access the full content
Upgrade to Premium