T.S. Eliot

1. T.S. Eliot Presented by: Darin j Baltezore Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works

2. T.S. Eliot- The Great Sorcerer of Poetry • T.S. Eliot was "Not only as a great sorcerer of words but as the very key keeper of the language." (Poetryfoundation.org 1) • This was said by Igor Stravinsky a famous American composer who read many of T.S. Eliot’s works. Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in an old New England family in St. Louis Missouri in 1888. He was one of six children of Henry and Charlotte Eliot. T.S. Eliot had ties to both Massachusetts and Missouri through his childhood. Eliot’s grandfather was a Unitarian minister, founder of schools, a university, and some charities. He was the family patriarch (“T.S. Eliot Biography” Notablebiographies.com 1). This was the start of the importance of religion to Eliot. It was probably his mother, who was a writer and a poet, that first peaked T.S. Eliot’s interest in poetry. She wrote religious and dramatic poems (“T.S. Eliot Biography” Notablebiographies.com 1). At the age of fourteen, he started writing poetry like his favorite poem Fitzgerald’s Omar Khayyam (Donald Hall). In 1914, T.S. Eliot moved to England, where he was a schoolmaster and a bank clerk. After that he found a job as a literary editor for a publishing house Faber & Faber (“Biography” Nobelprize.org 1). T.S. Eliot Converted to the Anglican Church in 1927, and he was really devoted to his new religion (“T.S. Eliot Biography” Notablebiographies.com 1). This could probably point to why he was so interested and started writing religious poetry. Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works

3. T.S. Eliot Bio. Continued • T.S. Eliot went to college in Harvard, in 1906 where he wanted to earn a master of arts in philosophy. This was interrupted when he went to Sorbonne, France for a year and he went over to study in Germany (“T.S. Eliot Biography” Notablebiographies.com 1). Then World War one broke out. He then transferred to Merton College, Oxford (”Biography” Nobelpriz.org 1).While in Oxford he met his soon to be longtime friend Ezra Pound. Ezra Pound soon saw T.S. Eliot poetic genius. T.S. Eliot saw Ezra Pound as a mentor when it came to poetry. Ezra would often read Eliot’s poems and give some suggestions. Eliot looked up to him and found him really respectable. Ezra helped Eliot publish his first poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” and from there his poetry flourished. He came out with many great works, but none was greater than Four Quarters. He won the Noble Prize in Literature in 1948 for his poem Four Quarters (“T.S. Eliot” Poets.org 1). T.S. Eliot was a very creditable poet with his style and controversy.

4. T.S. Eliot bio. Continued • T.S. Eliot has a distinct style that makes him a good poet. He introduced a new interesting style at that time. He combined normal common speech and obscure allusions. These obscure allusions made it hard for people to understand what he was trying to say. This allowed people to find their own meanings throughout each of his poems. He also has great use of similes and metaphors. Sometimes his metaphors could be separate poems. T.S. Eliot tries to reveal emotions by invoking them in the readers, instead of the poets stating them (Kyle Minor). T.S. Eliot also wrote poetry on controversial issues that made some people question his poetry. He wrote poems on religion and World War One. After reading some of his poems people believed that T.S. Eliot was Anti-Semitism. T.S. Eliot was a religious man; he wrote what he felt he believed in, even if others did not agree with him. “Eliot was one of the most daring innovators of twentieth century poetry (“T.S. Eliot” Notablebiographies.com 1)”. T.S. Eliot thought he wrote genuine poetry. “Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood (Brainquote.com 1).”

5. List of works • Gerontion(1920) • Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar (1920) • Sweeney Erect (1920) • A Cooking Egg (1920) • Le Directeur(1920) • Mélange Adultère de Tout (1920) • Lune de Miel(1920) • The Hippopotamus (1920) • Dansle Restaurant (1920) • Whispers of Immortality (1920) • Mr. Eliot’s Sunday Morning Service (1920) • Sweeney among the Nightingales (1920) • Four Quartets (1943) • The Wasteland (1922) Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works

6. Analysis Poem Click picture for rest of poem • The Waste Land • By T.S. Eliot • I. THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD • APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding • Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing • Memory and desire, stirring • Dull roots with spring rain. • Winter kept us warm, covering • Earth in forgetful snow, feeding • A little life with dried tubers. • Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee • With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade, Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works

7. Analysis • T.S. Eliot has a very distinct writing style that uses different literary devices and a great example of this would be “The Wasteland”. “The Wasteland” is a poem that describes a life away from God. T.S. Eliot uses imagery in his poems to depict a very dark and depressing place without God. “A heap of broken images, where the sun beats/And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief/And the dry stone no sound of water”. This describes a “hell” that Eliot believes people go through when they aren’t close to the Lord. That people who are not close to God can’t see the beauty in natural things. “A rat crept softly through the vegetation/Dragging its slimy belly on the bank/While I was fishing in the dull canal”. T.S. Eliot compares people with no religion to be “rats” that can’t find anything in life because they don’t have faith. “White bodies naked on the low damp ground/And bones cast in a little low dry garret,/Rattled by the rat's foot only, year to year.” T.S. Eliot shows us the future of what men will be if they don’t start changing. These examples from the poems we can judge that faith was huge to Eliot and everything else was not as important. T.S. Eliot also uses oxymoron’s in this poem. An oxymoron is when you say something that contradicts itself. “APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding/Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing/Memory and desire, stirring/Dull roots with spring rain./Winter kept us warm, covering/Earth in forgetful snow, feeding/A little life with dried tubers.” This is a good example of an oxymoron. The winter kept us warm contradicts itself, because winter is very cold, so it can’t possibly keep you warm. T.S. Eliot is a spiritual poet who uses different literary devices showed in “The Wasteland.”

8. Sample poems • “Whispers of Immortality” is a poem T.S. Eliot wrote. He describes that you can live forever, but if you don’t have a soul or a reason to live then you aren’t really living. You can enjoy one lifetime of happiness make it count because some others aren’t as lucky. “He knew that thought clings round dead limbs/Tightening its lusts and luxuries.” This line means people lust for immortality but it usually leads you down a rough road of bad decisions. If you live life to the fullest then you will be happier than an immortal man. Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works

9. Sample Poems • Donne, I suppose, was such another • Who found no substitute for sense, • To seize and clutch and penetrate; • Expert beyond experience, • He knew the anguish of the marrow • The ague of the skeleton; • No contact possible to flesh • Allayed the fever of the bone. • . . . . . • Grishkin is nice: her Russian eye • Is underlined for emphasis; • Uncorseted, her friendly bust • Gives promise of pneumatic bliss. • Whispers of Immortality • By T.S. Eliot • WEBSTER was much possessed by death • And saw the skull beneath the skin; • And breastless creatures under ground • Leaned backward with a lipless grin. • Daffodil bulbs instead of balls • Stared from the sockets of the eyes! • He knew that thought clings round dead limbs • Tightening its lusts and luxuries.

10. Whispers of Immortality Cont. • The couched Brazilian jaguar • Compels the scampering marmoset • With subtle effluence of cat; • Grishkin has a maisonette; • The sleek Brazilian jaguar • Does not in its arboreal gloom • Distil so rank a feline smell • As Grishkin in a drawing-room. • And even the Abstract Entities • Circumambulate her charm; • But our lot crawls between dry ribs • To keep our metaphysics warm.

11. Sample Poems • “Ash Wednesday” is one of T.S. Eliot’s famous religious poems. This poem talks about how everyone fears death. T.S. Eliot also describes how people will do anything to avoid death. He also says we need to be prepared so we can get to heaven. “Teach us to care and not to care.” This is cool because it is an oxymoron. It also says that we need to care about the life after this one but to also enjoy the life we have been given right now.

12. Sample Poems • Ash Wednesday • by T.S. Eliot • Because I do not hope to turn again • Because I do not hope • Because I do not hope to turn • Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope • I no longer strive to strive towards such things • (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) • Why should I mourn • The vanished power of the usual reign? • Because I do not hope to know • The infirm glory of the positive hour • Because I do not think • Because I know I shall not know • The one veritable transitory power • Because I cannot drink • There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is • nothing again Click picture for rest of poem

13. Inspired poems “The willows dipped, and buds on the bushes- There, in a downpour, they sheltered. I was seven, she was smaller. She was all wet, I gave her primroses.” Stains from his waistcoat soar thirty eight figure. "I tickled, to make her laugh. I felt a moment of madness and power. " But then, lecherous old, at this age ... • In The Restaurant • By T.S. Eliot • THE dilapidated boy who has nothing to do • That scratching your fingers and lean on my shoulder • "In my country it will be rainy weather • Wind, sunshine, and rain; • This is called the washing day beggars. " • (Chatterbox, slobbering, rounded to the rump, • I pray thee, at least, do not bleed in the soup). Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works

14. The Restaurant Continued Phlébas, the Phoenician, a fortnight drowned, Forgot the cries of seagulls and waves of Cornwall And profits and losses, and the cargo of tin: A stream of sub-sea carried him very far, The ironing stages of his previous life. Imagine, then, was a plight, However, what was once a handsome man, tall. • "Sir, the fact is hard. • He came, we grope, a big dog; • I was scared, I left midway. • It's a shame. " • But then you have your vulture! • Go away you décrotter facial wrinkles; • Hey, my fork, you describe the skull. • What you paid right experience like me? • Here, take a dime for the en-suite bathroom.

15. Inspired poem • Chef’s art is presented. • The customer chews • Every area is inspected by taste buds • Fiery passion fills the stomach • Determined customer wolfs down the meal • Customer leans back belly full • Looking at empty plate impressed • In the Restaurant • Five star restaurant prepares for evening rush. • Customers come to tantalize taste buds • Chickens hypnotically turn on spit • Catching the passerby in its trap • Waiters with forced smiles • Counting down seconds till close • Chefs juggling orders to please customers • Waiters delivering food like impatient business men • Walking from terminal to terminal

16. Inspired poems The ’potamus can never reach The mango on the mango-tree; But fruits of pomegranate and peach Refresh the Church from over sea. At mating time the hippo’s voice Betrays inflexions hoarse and odd, But every week we hear rejoice The Church, at being one with God. The hippopotamus’s day Is passed in sleep; at night he hunts; God works in a mysterious way— The Church can sleep and feed at once. . • The Hippopotamus • By T.S. Eliot • THE BROAD-BACKED hippopotamus • Rests on his belly in the mud; • Although he seems so firm to us • He is merely flesh and blood. • Flesh and blood is weak and frail, • Susceptible to nervous shock; • While the True Church can never fail • For it is based upon a rock. • The hippo’s feeble steps may err • In compassing material ends, • While the True Church need never stir • To gather in its dividends.

17. The Hippopotamus cont. • I saw the ’potamus take wing • Ascending from the damp savannas, • And quiring angels round him sing • The praise of God, in loud hosannas. • Blood of the Lamb shall wash him clean • And him shall heavenly arms enfold, • Among the saints he shall be seen • Performing on a harp of gold. • He shall be washed as white as snow, • By all the martyr’d virgins kist, • While the True Church remains below • Wrapt in the old miasmal mist.

18. Inspired Poem • Africa inspired “The Hippopotamus” • By Darin Baltezore • The broad-backed hippopotamus • The triumphant river horse gallops upstream • The lion gallivanting around the Savanna • Looking for a meal worthy of royalty • Hyenas the scavenger of Africa • Sulking about till their next meal • The Gazelle prancing and bounding • Around the plains • Cheetahs sleek and slender • Sprinters of the land • Africa an immaculate and majestic habitat

19. Original Poem • First Marathon • The New York Marathon- the big kahuna • Internal debates of whether I’d run. • Racing an athletic event • Watching gazelle like athletes whiz by me • Enticing form of physical exertion • Rapid leg turnover • Sore and tired legs • Lactic acid pools build up • Nothing like mile 23 • Hitting the legendary wall • Psychological edge to go the distance • Staggering to finish with demented half-grin • A true runners high. Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works

20. Original Poem I run to see who has guts Who can punish himself Suicide pace A good day to die Pure guts at the end Punish himself even more I am the only one who can win Anything less is to sacrifice the gift. • Pre • A kid from Coos Bay • You’re too small • You’re not fast enough • I want to be number one • Give up your foolish dream • I HAVE TO WIN • I’ve given myself reason to keep running • Self-satisfaction and sense of achievement • It’s more than a race • It’s a style • A race is a work of art

21. Bibliography • Information • http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1948/eliot-bio.html • http://www.notablebiographies.com/Du-Fi/Eliot-T-S.html • http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/18 • http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/t-s-eliot-33.php • http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/4738/the-art-of-poetry-no-1-t-s-eliot • http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1119569/ts_eliots_genre_writing_style_issues.html • http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/t-s-eliot • http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/t_s_eliot.html • Pictures • http://www.flickr.com/photos/giampaolocianella/330811704/ • http://showblogs.syfy.com/eureka/idealab/2010/08/immortality-any-day-now.php • http://www.likeadesertprophet.com/t-s-eliot-la-figlia-che-piange-the-weeping-girl/ • http://www.universalsports.com/news-blogs/article/newsid=529451.html • http://www.thewriterscoin.com/2009/09/08/steve-prefontaine-guide-getting-rich/ • http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/italian-meatballs-with-spaghetti-10000000682677/ • http://naturescrusaders.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/running-cheetahs-need-high-pufas-so-do-you/running-cheetah/ • http://branchesumc.org/ • http://tseliotpoetslife.blogspot.com/ • http://mariusostrowski.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/the-wasteland-of-modern-society/ Biography Sample Poems Original Poems Inspired Poems Bibliography List of Works