Hello Reader,
I am Hinaba Sarvaiya. this bog is my thinking activity given by our prof. Dilip Barad sir. the topic is The Waste Land. Have a look at the blog to view the quote in image for better understanding of these points.
Introduction:
The publication of the poem "The Waste Land" in 1922 gained Eliot an international reputation as a poet of an astounding caliber. The Waste Land is structured into five parts:
The Burial Of The Dead
A Game Of Chess
A Fire Sermon
Death by Water
What The Thunder Said
First Section of the poem is about Death. Eliot discusses the natural cycle and it relationship to death. In the second, he tradition from death to sex. He uses figure from Greek Mythology to include reference about Rape, Procreation, and sextual desire. The third section also addresses the role of sex, but in relation to the Lustful tendencies. The forth section addresses the skillful sailor. He lost his bones and be humble of human being. And final section of the poem Eliot take to he references for the Indian Mythology and give through the message. we find in this poem the major theme are the Sextual Perversion and spiritual degradation.
1). What are your views on the following image after reading The Waste Land? Do you think Eliot is regressive as compared to Nietzsche's views? or has eliot achieved universality of thought by recalling mytho historical answer to the contemporary malaise?
Here we see the frame and this frame was Friedrich Nietzche and T.S. Eliot Concept. Friedrich Nietzche with the concept of Ubermensch, it called the concept of Superman in also Sprach Zarathustra seem to be progressive and forward looking in giving solution to the problem of contemporary crisis in faith and self. The Superman represents the affirmation of one's full potentialities, freedom and creativity. It designates the essence of humanity view, that is the highest principal of devlopment of Humanity and that man is only a bridge to the Superman.
Another side T.S. Eliot in The Waste Land seems to be regressive and backward looking as it tries to find answer of contemporary malaise in upnishad, Buddhism and Christianity. It means he go through the traditional or past to solved the contemporary crisis. It means past connect with the present time. And here we know the Eliot write the waste land in 1922;in modern time but we find the reference of Upnishad and traditional point of views, tells the problems and give to solution in modern way.
In comparison to Neitzche's thought, Yes, Eliot is regressive but it doesn't means that he only raises questions on his contemporary society. He also tries to give way of solutions rather than the answer. We know the history is always repiting and also Eliot taught about the sanskrit language in his college time. It very easy to Eliot take the reference in traditional events and he tries give to past and connect in present crisis. So we can conclude that it is also right that problems of contemporary solved in traditional way.
#Write about allusion to the Indian thought in the Waste Land (where, how and Why are the Indian thoughts reference to)
Many western scholar, who were influenced by Indian philosophy. T.S. Eliot also use the Indian thought and tries to find answers of contemporary malaise in upanishad, Buddhism. Here we see the how to use indian thought in his poem.
1. The Fire Sermon:-
The concept of Fire Sermon is taken from "Adittapariyaya Sutta" a sacred book of Buddhasim. Which taught human beings how to liberate yourself from all these worldly materialistic wants. To liberate self one should avoid all worldly desire and passions.
The word burning pointed out detachment from all the human wants.
2. What the Thunder Said:-
The Prajapati preaching to his three creation, Devtad, Danav, and Man. And he gave the shlok of three "DA" which became:
Datta-Human-Greedy
Dayadhvam-Demons-cruelty
Damayata-Gods-Self Control.
So This is the three word formula of Da, which is taken from Upanishad, and here Eliot uses it as a solution to heightened the spirit life of modern man.
Shanti..Shanti...Shantih..
Eliot ends the poem with a hopeful and spiritual tone, implying that peace and harmony can infact be achived.
River Ganga and Himalay:-
Eliot refers to wisdom of Indian for spiritual salvation of modern Humanity. Holly river Ganga is known for its purity and also for purification and Himalaya is known for spirituality and peace.
#Prior to the speech, Gustaf Hellström of the Swedish Academy made these remarks:
Freud the most profound cause of the confusion lay in the unbehagen in der kultar of modern man. Eliot are of opposite opinion salvation of man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition. If we take the reference bof Freud here belived that giving a free vent to the represented primitive instinct lead us happy and satisfied life and we never even care for salvation.
Yes, it is truth that giving free vent to the repressed primitive instinct' can lead us to happy and satisfied life, but individually, things and happiness which is satisfying us can harm others and which give pleasure to others can harm us. But as per Eliot views if all follow such culture, tradition and belief in such lifestyle and moralities, a network of understanding can be created human live peacefully.