Hello Readers!
"The Waste Land" one of the greatest work of modern age is written by T. S. Eliot. This poem primarily focuses upon the absence or degradation of human values found in modern life. 1922 was the year in which the poem was published. It was the time when Western world was contented with much more materialistic lifestyle. The poem is dedicated to Ezra Pound. The poem's incidents are referred by the use of Indian and Greek mythology which symbolically retells the modern temperaments and culture. It also consists intertextuality and multifaceted view of the world. The way back, Eliot had described the absurdity of life and moral depreciation. But it is still relatable in many respects. Let us see, by answering some questions, how The Waste Land fits in terms of relevance of psychology and philosophy.
Two major themes :
Here are some questions to ponder upon and
1. What are your views on the following image after reading 'The Waste Land'? Do you think that 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?
Ans:
Friedrich Nietzsche didn't believe in the existence of God. He has famously written in his work Thus Spoke Zarathustra that God Is Dead. Moreover to that, he gave the idea of Ubermensch which is superman. The denial of God's existence and establishment of human as supreme above all is a progressive thought. In terms of Eliot's poem, one can see that poet is going backwards to find the solution of today's time. Eliot turns towards mythology, Buddhism, Christianity and Hindu wisdom and philosophy. It is true that Eliot is regressive as compared to Nietzsche's views, but he also succeeds in achieving the timelessness and universality of the poem. After reading all the references of the poem, one can say that Eliot has tried to bring out spirituality from myths and religions. But he doesn't move forward to develop that spiritual abilities in precedence of human life. One always finds an anchor to live life, be it a religion or spirituality. Nietzsche was trying to prove that human evolution is constantly developing and humans are going towards becoming divine power and master of all moralities.
2. Prior to the speech, Gustaf Hellström of the Swedish Academy made these remarks:
What are your views regarding these comments? Is it true that giving free vent to the repressed 'primitive instinct' lead us to happy and satisfied life? or do you agree with Eliot's view that 'salvation of man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition'?
Ans : As it is known that Sigmund Freud was knows as the founder of psychoanalysis, a study of human behavior, psyche and personality. He established many new observations on human behavior and its connection with basic instincts. Freud emphasized on four basic instincts found in almost all animals including humans, which are Hunger, Sleep, Fear and Reproduction (sexual instincts). One can never be free from these four instincts. If one tries to control or repress those four instincts one may develop mental illness or disease. The cycle of life is based on this four instincts.
While doing the autobiographical reading of the poem, one finds the connection of T. S. Eliot's life and one can think that his life events were metaphorically depicted in The Waste Land. Eliot's thought is quite convincing that 'salvation of man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition'. But one should also give way to the basic instincts to live happy and satisfied life.
3) Write about allusions to the Indian thoughts in 'The Waste Land'. (Where, How and Why are the Indian thoughts referred?)
Ans: There are three religious thoughts conveyed poetically in The Waste Land. Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism. The reference of the fire sermon comes from Buddhism, fifth part of the poem 'What the Thunder Said' refers to Hindu scripture Brihadaranyak Upanishad. In this Upanishad, Chapter five, Second Brahmana (The entire Upanishad is lectured by several brahmins) it is written that Prajapati, the creator injuncted a message in form of thunder, a heavenly sound coming from sky, often referred as supernatural calling of divine. Thunder makes a sound 'Da' three times. This sound is interpreted in different ways by Deva, the celestial beings, Manava, the human beings and Danava, the demons. Here in reference of the poem the celestial's interpretation is taken by Eliot.
The reason why Indian thoughts are referred is, these three words Datta, Dayadhvam and Damyata describe the way of life and its the solution of almost all of human sorrow.
First Da - Datta means be a giver. Donate at least a little part from what you have.
Second Da - Dayadhvam means have compassion, sympathize to others.
Third Da - Damyata means have self control.
All these words lead us to live a spiritually balanced life. In the modern age, Western civilization was prosperous enough in terms of material matters. England and European countries were considered as center of the world. But people were lacking human values. As mentioned above that sexual perversion and spiritual degradation was major drawback of society. T S Eliot finds a solution of this drawbacks in Hindu philosophy and in Upanishadik thoughts.
Thank You!
References:
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-brihadaranyaka-upanishad/d/doc122189.html
https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/brdup/brhad_V-01.html#Second
https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2014/10/presentations-on-ts-eliots-waste-land.html
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