Learning Paths » 5B Interacting

MBurino - Essay by T.S.Eliot. The Language for Poetry
by MBurino - (2011-09-22)
Up to  5B - Methodological Module for Textual AnalysisUp to task document list
  • statement (lines 1-2)                     The English language is the richest for poetry.
  • qualification of statement (lines 3-10) This doesn't mean that England has produced the greatest  poets of amount of poetry.
  • clarification (lines11-14) English is the richest language for poetry because it has the largest vocabulary.
  • supporting statement + examples (lines 14-29) This richness is due to the variety of elements of   which English is made of:

                                                     a) the Germanic foundation

                                                     b) the Scandinavian element

                                                     c) the Norman French element

                                                     d) the French influences

                                                     e) the Latin words

                                                      f) the Celtic
  • Further clarification+ examples (lines 14-29) The English language is also rich in its rhythmic variety. The elements are:
                                                       a) the Saxon verse rhythm
                                                       b) the Norman French rhythm
                                                       c) the Welsh rhythm
                                                       d) the Latin poetry
                                                       e) the Greek poetry
  • First restatement (lines 41-44) English is a good language for poetry because it is derived from so many linguistic sources.
  • Second restatement (lines 44-48) England has not necessarily produced the greatest poets.
  • Statement + examples (lines 49-51) It is generally thought that the greatest people excel in one art. Examples :
                                                         a) Italy and French in painting
                                                         b) Germany in music
                                                         c) England in poetry
  • Refutation + example (lines 52- 68) This is not correct because:
        a) no art has ever been the exclusive possession of any European country
        b) in some periods other countries than England had taken the lead in poetryExample: in the second half of the nineteenth century the greatest contribution to English poetry was made in France
  • Further refutation + example (lines 68-76) A nation which leads in a particular art form in a particular period does not necessarily produce the greatest artists.
          Example: no English poet contemporary to Goethe can be compared with him
  • Statement (lines 86-88) No European nation would have accomplished what it has, as far as culture is concerned, if other countries had not developed the same art forms.
  • Statement (lines 86-99) The ability of European literature to renew itself depends on two factors:
          a) to receive and assimilate influences from abroad
          b) to go back and learn from its own sources
 III     a) The pronoun I is always used to refer to the same person
          b) You is used to refer to the German speaking people but also to who is talking with the writer
 IV      Express opinion ( e.g. 'I think', ' I am concerned', ' I wish' , ' I do not mean'.
 V       A) The essayist is adressing to a reader inerested in those themes
          B) The opinion s of the essayist
          C) It is to explin and demonstae that English language is the more suited for poets' purposes
          D) He substantiates his statement giving clarifications, adding supporting statements and
               examples, but also making refutations of ome statements