Tradition and the Individual Talent

Essay | T. S. Eliot
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Why is a sense of tradition essential?

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Why is a sense of tradition essential? [2021]

Tradition is the living bond between the past and the present. T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) believes that no poet can create great poetry without knowing the heritage of earlier writers. For this reason, the writer of “Tradition and Individual Talent” (1919) says that a sense of tradition is not a choice. It is a need for every poet who wishes to write lasting poetry.

Historical Sense: According to Eliot, the first step toward tradition is to develop what he calls the “historical sense.” It means that a poet must feel both the “pastness of the past” and its “presence” in the present age. Eliot writes, 

“Tradition is a matter of much wider significance. It cannot be inherited, and if you want it you must obtain it by great labour.” 

This sense makes a poet aware that all literature exists together as a “simultaneous order.” Through thi
s awareness, the poet learns that his work must connect the temporal and the timeless.

Relation with the Past: Eliot strongly believes that no poet can be understood or valued alone. He writes, 

“No poet, no artist of any art, has his complete meaning alone.” 

A poet’s real meaning and importance depend on his relation with the poets of the past. When a new poem is created, it slightly changes the meaning of the whole literary tradition. Thus, there is a continuous exchange between old and new works. 

Awareness and Responsibility: A poet who understands tradition becomes aware of great difficulty and responsibility. He knows that his art must follow the spirit of the past without losing its freshness. Blind imitation is useless because true conformity lies in a balance between the old and the new. The poet must study deeply, think widely, and work hard to keep this harmony. 

In short, Eliot teaches that tradition is not merely imitation, but rather a conscious awareness of the past. It gives the poet direction, discipline, and creative strength. Without a sense of tradition, poetry becomes shallow and temporary. 

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T. S. Eliot
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