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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
So I read The Waste Land for the third time last night (I’ve read bits of it several times, but only all the way through three times), and I even read commentaries on it. I just don’t get it. I understand what it’s about, and there are parts I can see are obviously brilliant (the scene of London bridge is more haunting than the scene in Dante he’s referencing, and that’s quite a compliment from me). And yet, I feel no connection to it. I agree with his premise, but his execution entirely fails to touch me, in any emotional sense.
Let’s take a couple lines as an example:
To Carthage then I came
Burning burning burning burning
O Lord Thou pluckest me out
O Lord Thou pluckest
burning
Now, I see the juxtaposition of Eastern and Western spirituality and all that indicates in relation to the poem as a whole, but my reaction to it is less of an enjoyment and more of knowing nod–”Yes, I see what you did there.” And that’s my reaction to the poem as a whole, really. I know that may sound like condescension, but I really don’t feel like I’m being condescending. It’s more of a cold, calculated appreciation: purely intellectual.
As a contrast, let me explain my reaction to reading Ash Wednesday. The opening line is “Because I do not hope to turn again.” When I read that, I immediately thought, “I know that line! Why do I know that line?” I had to look it up, but it’s the opening line of a poem by Guido Cavalcanti, a friend and contemporary of Dante. Maybe I wouldn’t have gotten that if I hadn’t spent the passed few months studying Dante; regardless, I got the reference and I was excited to figure it out. Whereas, the references in The Waste Land that I got–I obviously didn’t get all of them because Eliot is far more well read and more intelligent than I am–but the ones I did get, I just recognized how that reference is appropriate at that moment and moved on.
It’s not a fair comparison though, because for all its brilliance Ash Wednesday, is not The Waste Land, nor is it meant to be: it’s not the same type of poem. The two poems are meant to evoke separate reactions, and are written about two separate issues. So let me explain in a more general context. Perhaps it’s reading them back to back–not to mention this was my first time reading Ash Wednesday–but I felt like the reaction I had while reading Ash Wednesday (a gnawing in my chest that’s haunted me all morning) is the reaction good poetry ought to evoke; whereas, the reaction The Waste Land always evokes in me is the reaction one should have for a well-written essay. And whatever feeling The Waste Land should be evoking, I feel like that’s not what it is.
I’ve read a lot of Eliot’s poetry, and I like a most of it. Unfortunately, The Waste Land does not connect with me on anything beyond an intellectual level, and frankly, I’m going to stop trying to make it connect further.
Let’s take a couple lines as an example:
To Carthage then I came
Burning burning burning burning
O Lord Thou pluckest me out
O Lord Thou pluckest
burning
Now, I see the juxtaposition of Eastern and Western spirituality and all that indicates in relation to the poem as a whole, but my reaction to it is less of an enjoyment and more of knowing nod–”Yes, I see what you did there.” And that’s my reaction to the poem as a whole, really. I know that may sound like condescension, but I really don’t feel like I’m being condescending. It’s more of a cold, calculated appreciation: purely intellectual.
As a contrast, let me explain my reaction to reading Ash Wednesday. The opening line is “Because I do not hope to turn again.” When I read that, I immediately thought, “I know that line! Why do I know that line?” I had to look it up, but it’s the opening line of a poem by Guido Cavalcanti, a friend and contemporary of Dante. Maybe I wouldn’t have gotten that if I hadn’t spent the passed few months studying Dante; regardless, I got the reference and I was excited to figure it out. Whereas, the references in The Waste Land that I got–I obviously didn’t get all of them because Eliot is far more well read and more intelligent than I am–but the ones I did get, I just recognized how that reference is appropriate at that moment and moved on.
It’s not a fair comparison though, because for all its brilliance Ash Wednesday, is not The Waste Land, nor is it meant to be: it’s not the same type of poem. The two poems are meant to evoke separate reactions, and are written about two separate issues. So let me explain in a more general context. Perhaps it’s reading them back to back–not to mention this was my first time reading Ash Wednesday–but I felt like the reaction I had while reading Ash Wednesday (a gnawing in my chest that’s haunted me all morning) is the reaction good poetry ought to evoke; whereas, the reaction The Waste Land always evokes in me is the reaction one should have for a well-written essay. And whatever feeling The Waste Land should be evoking, I feel like that’s not what it is.
I’ve read a lot of Eliot’s poetry, and I like a most of it. Unfortunately, The Waste Land does not connect with me on anything beyond an intellectual level, and frankly, I’m going to stop trying to make it connect further.
Genius. Especially excellent narration by Ted Hughes in the audible format. Highly recommended.
And now I know that Cats is TS Eliot fan fic!!!
Hauntingly beautiful and bleak, soul-baring and -crushing. Modernist poetry at it's peak bleakness and tragic.
I’ve wanted to read The Wasteland ever since my A Level English teacher kept mentioning it when we were studying The Great Gatsby.
I must admit, not a lot of it has sunk it. I think it’s going to be one of those poems that I read over and over again until I get it. Also, reading it on holiday didn’t help. I find it hard to concentrate on poetry and All Inclusive bars are too distracting.
When I do get around to rereading and studying it a little more, I will post a second review, maybe some quotes.
I must admit, not a lot of it has sunk it. I think it’s going to be one of those poems that I read over and over again until I get it. Also, reading it on holiday didn’t help. I find it hard to concentrate on poetry and All Inclusive bars are too distracting.
When I do get around to rereading and studying it a little more, I will post a second review, maybe some quotes.
two problems that can co-exist are 1. i'm too dumb for the waste land and 2. the waste land is insufferably elitist
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
This makes SO MUCH MORE sense if you listen to someone read it out, as a general rule.
Bit heavy on the classical allusions and the random languages (three cheers for google translate), but I actually really enjoyed it.
Bit heavy on the classical allusions and the random languages (three cheers for google translate), but I actually really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism