Thinking Activity Tradition and the Individual Talent

 Thinking ActivityTradition and the Individual Talent 

This blog is written as a part of a thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir

I will be writing a blog where I will answer some questions given by Dr. Dilip Barad. The questions are related to T.S. Eliot's essay is called "Tradition and the Individual Talent." In my blog, I will share my personal views and opinions on these questions. 

Tradition and the Individual Talent

"Tradition and the Individual Talent" is an essay by T.S. Eliot, first published in 1919. In this essay, Eliot argues that literary tradition plays a vital role in shaping and influencing individual artistic expression. He believes that every new work of art is influenced by the works that came before it and that the individual artist's job is to find a place for their own work within the larger tradition.

Eliot argues that the true artist must be aware of the entire history of literature and that they must be able to see their own work in the context of that tradition. He believes that the artist must be both humble and confident, understanding their place in the larger tradition while also striving to make a unique contribution to it.

One of Eliot's most famous ideas from this essay is the concept of the "objective correlative," which he defines as "a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion." He believes that the artist's job is to use these objective correlatives to evoke a specific emotion in the reader or viewer.

Overall, Eliot's essay is a defense of the importance of tradition in the creation of new art. He argues that individual talent can only be fully realized when it is situated within a larger historical and cultural context.

How would you like to explain Eliot's concept of Tradition? Do you agree with it?

T.S. Eliot believes that tradition is the part of culture passed down from the past that shapes the present. However, there's a tension between traditional and modern perspectives. Eliot refers to tradition in a historical sense, meaning that the past has a significant influence on the present.

He says that artists should not imitate the past blindly, but incorporate new ideas and their own talent. It's hard to say whether or not I agree with Eliot, as he emphasizes the importance of tradition while also criticizing writers who break away from it.

However, Eliot's approach encourages artists to use the past as a starting point while incorporating their own ideas and creating something new.

What do you understand by Historical Sense? 

Eliot believes that tradition refers to the cultural elements passed down from the past, which continue to shape the present. He emphasizes the importance of the historical sense, which involves the idea of the past's presence in the present. Our past has a significant influence on our present. According to Eliot, this concept is crucial for depersonalization.

Eliot argues that the historical sense, which encompasses both the timeless and the temporal aspects, is what makes a writer traditional. The historical sense has no limits, and it combines the secular with the timeless. Therefore, a writer who incorporates the historical sense into their work can be considered traditional.

 What is the relationship between “tradition” and “the individual talent,” according to the poet T. S. Eliot?

Eliot introduces the term "individual talent" to distinguish a poet's talent when discussing tradition. While he emphasizes the importance of the historical sense, he also acknowledges the significance of individual talent in presenting that historical sense in a modern context. In other words, while the historical sense is necessary, creativity is also crucial in producing literary works.

 Explain: "Some can absorb knowledge, the more tardy must sweat for it. Shakespeare acquired more essential history from Plutarch than most men could from the whole British Museum".

Eliot points out that becoming a creative writer is not an easy task, as great epochs of creativity are rare. To achieve this, one must have extensive knowledge and wide-ranging reading across various fields, both past and present. 

"Great epoch of creativity doesn't come often."

However, Eliot also acknowledges that some individuals have a natural ability to absorb knowledge effortlessly, which can compensate for a lack of extensive reading. As an example, he cites Shakespeare, who did not attend university but was still able to write prolifically. Eliot presents both major and exceptional ways of achieving literary success, but it seems that reading receives more emphasis in his argument due to its broad accessibility and proven effectiveness in improving writing skills.

Explain: "Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry"

T.S. Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent" emphasizes the importance of honest criticism and sensitive appreciation directed towards poetry rather than the poet. However, in many cases, critics tend to focus on the artist rather than the art itself, which can hinder genuine appreciation and critique.

For instance, if a critic chooses a particular writer or poet and analyzes their work solely through the lens of the artist's personal life or background, it does not provide an accurate evaluation of the poetry. This approach neglects the intrinsic value of the literary work and fails to capture its true essence.

Therefore, to conduct honest and effective criticism or appreciation, it is crucial to shift the focus from the poet to the poetry itself. By examining the literary work without preconceptions or biases towards the artist, one can better appreciate the art and provide insightful criticism that acknowledges the merits and flaws of the work on its own terms.

 How would you like to explain Eliot's theory of depersonalization? You can explain with the help of chemical reaction in presence of catalyst agent, Platinum.

T.S. Eliot's theory of depersonalization refers to the idea that in creating poetry, the poet should try to remove their personal emotions and experiences from the work, and instead create a more objective, impersonal piece of art. It is similar to the way a catalyst works in a chemical reaction.

A catalyst is a substance that facilitates a chemical reaction, without itself being consumed or changing its own composition. In the same way, the poet should use language and images to facilitate the expression of emotions and ideas, but without being consumed by them or revealing too much of their personal experiences.

 platinum is a catalyst that can speed up the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to form water, without itself being consumed or changing in any way. Similarly, in creating poetry, the poet's language and images can act as a catalyst to express emotions and ideas, while the poet themselves remain separate from the work, not consumed by their personal experiences or emotions.

Thus, Eliot suggests that by depersonalizing poetry in this way, the work can become more universal and timeless, appealing to a wider audience and retaining its relevance even as time passes.

 Explain: " Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality."

T.S. Eliot is saying that poetry is not just a way to express emotions or personality. Instead, it is a way for poets to escape from their personal experiences and emotions and create something that is beyond themselves. When poets write poetry, they are using language and imagery to create a work of art that is universal and timeless, not just an expression of their own personal feelings. In this way, poetry allows us to transcend our own limitations and connect with others on a deeper level.