-The Waste Land by T.S.Eliot-

-V. What The Thunder Said-

Exercises (p.559 - Making Waves)

Comprehension

- Focus on the three themes of the section, as explained in the introduction. Find references to them in the text.

1. Journey of Christ's disciples to Emmaus: vv.7-9, vv.39-45

2. Approach to the Chapel Perilous in the Holy Grail legend: v.12, vv.57-60

3. Decay of Eastern Europe: vv.53-56, vv.75-80, v.97.

Interpretation

- What is the Thunder's advice?

The Thunder's advice (DA) is interpreted in three different ways on the basis of the listener:

1-     Gods take the message as the word "Datta": they should give alms to the poor, and they should reflect (all human beings should reflect) about what they actually gave to others during their life.

2-     Men take the message as the word "Dayadhavam": they should have compassion to others, even if they are trapped by their own egoism.

3-     Demons take the massage as the word "Damyata": they should control themselves.

- What do you think "these fragments" are?

I think "these fragments" is an expression meant to indicate the various inter-textual quotations collected by Eliot in his poem. Poet and speaking voice are the same in such verse and the writer is expressing his own intention and hopes to the reader while composing the text.

- The journey has come to an end. What final message is conveyed in the concluding lines? Why do you think the last words are in Sanskrit?

The final message conveyed in the concluding lines is an appeal of peace to humanity, in contrast with human beings' selfishness and continuous decay. Such last words of peace are in Sanskrit for various reason:

-        Sanskrit is a dead language; its use contributes in maintaining a sterile atmosphere in the last part of the poem and creates a parallel between past and present

-        Sanskrit is the language the holy book Upanishad was first written; such choice renders a sense of solemnity

-        The use of Sanskrit (ancient Indian language) creates a cross-reference within the text; it calls back the Hindu fable of the Thunder

-        The use of a different language makes the appeal more universal.

- Eliot wrote that modern poetry must be difficult, as he himself explained: [...].

What causes obscurity in Eliot's poetry?

Obscurity in Eliot's poem is caused by the huge presence of inter-textual quotations and references in the text, coming from different works and cultures. The meaning of such "fragments" is often unknown and difficult for the common reader to be understood. Further difficulty is added by the continuous shift of scenes and lack of narration of the poem.

- Read how Virginia Woolf described her own experience of reading Eliot. [...]

- What does she underlines of Eliot's style?

She underlines the fragmented syntax of Eliot works and the need to read the poem line after line, without stopping, to follow the flow of the reasoning. She also makes reference to the presence of inter-textual quotation taken from the past, and praises them.

- In what ways are the modernists Eliot, Woolf and Joyce similar?

Eliot, Joyce and Woolf are similar in the employment of inter-textual quotations and references in their work. Furthermore, they all structure their texts as a juxtaposition of scenes, without large narration. To conclude, consciousness is put into forefront and there is no much narrator's filter in the expression of their characters' thoughts.