How does a poet meet his maturity? [2015]

T.S. Eliot (1888-1965), the writer of “Tradition and the Individual Talent” (1919), explains how a poet reaches artistic maturity. He believes that a poet does not become mature by showing personal emotions. Instead, he grows by surrendering his self to art. A poet’s maturity comes through knowledge, discipline, and awareness of tradition.

Historical Awareness: A poet meets maturity when he develops what Eliot calls the “historical sense.” It means he must feel both the “pastness of the past” and its “presence.” Eliot says that the poet must realize that all literature (from Homer to the present) exists together as a “simultaneous order.” This awareness connects him with all the great writers of the past. Without this sense, a poet remains limited by his time and personal feeling.

Self-Sacrifice: Eliot clearly says, 

“The progress of an artist is a continual self-sacrifice, a continual extinction of personality.”

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Impersonality in Art: A mature poet becomes impersonal in his creation. Eliot explains this with his “platinum” example. He writes, 

“Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion.” 

In short, a poet meets his maturity through awareness of tradition, self-sacrifice, and impersonality. He learns to create art that goes beyond his own life. True maturity makes him not just a writer, but a living part of the great stream of poetry.