T. S. Eliot’s influence upon Modern Literary Criticism: Impersonality of Poetry

"No poet, no artist of any sort, has his complete meaning alone. His significance, his appreciation is the appreciation of his relation to the dead poets and artists."-

T. S. Eliot (1888 - 1965)

"Tradition and the Individual Talent"

The Impersonal Aesthetic in "Tradition and the Individual Talent": T.S. Eliot's Impact on Modern Literary Criticism

Challenging Subjectivity: Eliot's Impersonality in Poetry

T.S. Eliot, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, made significant contributions to modern literary criticism, particularly in regard to the concept of impersonality in poetry. Eliot's views on impersonality challenged traditional notions of the poet as a highly subjective and individualistic figure, and instead emphasized the poet's ability to transcend personal emotions and experiences in order to achieve a more universal and objective artistic expression.

In his seminal essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," published in 1919, Eliot argued that the poet's personal experiences and emotions should not dominate the creative process. He believed that poetry should strive to achieve an impersonal and objective tone, distancing itself from the subjective and often egotistical aspects of the poet's own life. According to Eliot, the poet should detach himself from his own emotions and strive to present a more universal and timeless truth through his work.

Surrendering to Tradition: Eliot's Impersonality and the Dialogues of Poetry

The poet must continually surrender himself to something which is more valuable than himself that is tradition. In the beginning, his self, his individuality may assert itself, but as his powers mature there will be a greater extinction of personality. His emotions and passions must be depersonalized, and he must be as objective as a scientist, and understand that his personality is merely a medium. He must forget personal joys and sorrows and devote himself completely in acquiring a sense of tradition. That is why, Eliot says that honest criticism is not directed at the poet but upon the poetry.

T. S. Eliot (1888 - 1965)

Eliot's notion of impersonality in poetry was influenced by his belief in the importance of tradition and the collective cultural heritage. He emphasized the poet's responsibility to engage with and build upon the works of past writers, rather than simply indulging in self-expression. For Eliot, poetry was a continuous dialogue between past and present, and the poet's task was to contribute to this ongoing conversation by drawing on the accumulated wisdom and artistic achievements of previous generations.

The Poet's Mind as a Catalytic Agent: Eliot's Theory of Impersonality in Poetry

In the second part of the essay, Eliot develops the theory of impersonality of poetry. He compares the mind of the poet to a catalytic agent. It is necessary for combination of emotions and experiences to take place, but it itself does not undergo any change during the process. In case of a young and immature poet, his personal emotions and experiences may find some expression in his composition, but the more perfect the poet, the more completely separate in him will be the man who suffers and the mind which creates.

Eliot rejects romantic subjectivity. He compares the poet’s mind to a receptacle in which there are stored numberless emotions, feelings etc, which remain there in an unorganized and chaotic form till “all such particles unite to form a new compound together.” Poetry is thus organization rather than inspiration. Next, he says the greatness of a poem does not depend upon the intensity of the emotions but upon the intensity of the process of poetic composition.

The Poet's Paradox: Emotion and Escape in T.S. Eliot's Theory of Poetry

The emotion of poetry is different from personal emotions of the poet. His personal emotions may be simple or crude but the emotion of his poetry may be complex and refined. He further says that a poet may express emotions which he has never personally experienced.

Consequently, we must believe that "emotion recollected in tranquility" is an inexact formula. For it is neither emotion, nor recollection, nor, tranquility. It is a concentration, and a new thing resulting from the concentration. There is a great deal, in the writing of poetry, which must be conscious and deliberate. In fact, the bad poet is usually unconscious where he ought to be conscious and conscious where he ought to be unconscious. Both errors tend to make him "personal.” 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. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things.

Eliot's Challenge to Romantic Subjectivity: Reimagining the Poet's Role

Eliot's emphasis on impersonality had a profound impact on modern literary criticism. It challenged the romantic notion of the poet as a solitary genius driven by personal inspiration, and instead highlighted the poet's role as a craftsman and a transmitter of cultural values. This perspective influenced subsequent generations of poets and critics, who sought to distance themselves from self-indulgent and confessional modes of expression in favor of a more objective and intellectually rigorous approach to writing and analyzing poetry.

Eliot's Influence on New Criticism: Objective Analysis and Formal Exploration

Furthermore, Eliot's ideas on impersonality helped shape the development of New Criticism, a prominent literary critical movement of the mid-20th century. New Critics, such as Cleanth Brooks and John Crowe Ransom, emphasized close reading of the text and the exploration of its formal elements, detached from the author's personal intentions or biographical context. This approach aligned with Eliot's call for objective analysis and the focus on the text itself rather than the poet's subjective experiences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, T.S. Eliot's influence upon modern literary criticism, particularly regarding the impersonality of poetry, cannot be overstated. His ideas challenged traditional notions of the poet as a purely subjective and self-expressive figure, emphasizing instead the importance of tradition, objectivity, and the transcendent power of poetry. Eliot's views continue to resonate in contemporary literary criticism, shaping the ways in which we understand and appreciate poetry today.

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