Thomas Stearns Eliot, an influential Modernist poet, transformed 20th-century literature with works like 'The Waste Land.' His critical essays advanced New Criticism, and his complex personal life influenced his themes. Eliot's legacy continues through his innovative poetry, plays, and critical theories, impacting readers and scholars alike.
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Eliot was born into a distinguished New England family in St. Louis, Missouri
Higher Education
Eliot studied philosophy at Harvard University and continued his studies at the Sorbonne and Oxford
Meeting Ezra Pound
Eliot's encounter with Pound in England led to his permanent residency in the UK and his naturalization as a British subject
Eliot held various roles as an educator, bank employee, and editor at Faber & Faber, where he mentored emerging poets
Eliot gained recognition with the publication of "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" in 1915
The Waste Land
Eliot's most famous work, "The Waste Land," is considered a cornerstone of Modernist literature
Style and Techniques
Eliot's poetry is characterized by its use of symbolism, philosophical depth, and formal experimentation
Eliot's unique voice and techniques, such as stream of consciousness and allegory, became defining features of Modernist poetry
Eliot's essays, particularly "Tradition and the Individual Talent," contributed to the foundations of New Criticism
Key Ideas
New Critics advocated for close, analytical readings of texts and the idea of the "objective correlative."
Influence on Poetry
Eliot's essays promoted the idea of the impersonality of the poet, which influenced the New Critical approach to understanding and evaluating poetry
Eliot's correspondence with Emily Hale and his marriage to Vivienne Haigh-Wood influenced his poetry
Second Marriage
Eliot found personal stability in his second marriage to Esmé Valerie Fletcher
Relationship with Ezra Pound
Pound's mentorship and editorial insight greatly influenced Eliot's poetic voice
Eliot's contributions to literature were honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948
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T.S. Eliot's nationality shift
Born American, Eliot became a British subject in 1927.
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Eliot's academic journey post-Harvard
Studied at the Sorbonne and Oxford after Harvard.
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Eliot's professional roles beyond writing
Worked as educator, bank employee, and editor at Faber & Faber.
