2.10.2011

ESSAY: developing an argument by T. S. Eliot

In his essay, T.S.Eliot develops argumentations about the richness of English for writing poems.

Even if he proposes such thesis , he claims that he does not mean to say English poetry is the greatest ever produced. In order to reinforce his statement, he provides the reader with opinions and quality data. In line with this point, he quotes several important poets  (Dante, Milton, Shakespeare…).

The reason why English is the richest language for poetry is that it has the most efficient and largest vocabulary. Eliot supports this statement by saying that his richness is due to the various elements making English up : indeed, it includes Germanic, Scandinavian, French, Norman, Latin and Celtic bases.

Moreover, the language owns a particular rhythm variety due to the several elements it is made up of: early Saxon verse, Norman French, Welsh, Latin and Greek sources all together contributed to make of the English language what it is.

As he wrote, England has not produced the best poets; in general, the poet adds, it is thought that one particular people excels in one art and provides examples stating Italy and France are famous for painting, Germany for music and England for poetry.

But according to Eliotthe idea is not corret: indeed, first no art is the exclusive possession of only one country in Europe and second there have been periods in which other countries than England excelled in poetry.

The writer provides an example and states that in the 19th century the greatest contribution to English poetry was given by France. Last, a nation may excel in a particular art form during a particular period, but that does not mean that it produced the greatest artists.

He concludes his essay by posing that Europe, and in particular England, had the ability to renew their literature in order to make it last.

Exercises:

Supporting statements + examples (lines 14-29)

This richness is due to the variety of elements of which English is made of:

a) Germanic foundation

b) Scandinavian

c) French

d) Norman

e) Latin

f) Celtic

Further clarifications + examples (lines 29-40)

The English language is also rich in its rhythmic variety. The elements are:

a) the rhythm of early Saxon verse

b) the rhythm of the Norman French

c) the rhythm of the Welsh

d) Latin

e) Greek

Statement + examples (lines 49-51)

It is generally thought that the greatest people excels in one art. Examples:

a) Italy and France in painting

b) Germany in music

c) England in poetry

Refutation + examples (lines 52-68)

This is not correct because:

a) no art has ever been the exclusive possession of any one country of Europe

b) there have been periods in which other countries than England have taken the lead in poetry Example: in the second half of the 19th 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 contemporary with Wordsworth can compete with Goethe at all.

Statement (lines 86-99)

The ability of European literature to renew itself depends on two factors:

a) its ability to receive and assimilate influences from abroad

b) its ability to go back and learn from its own sources

The personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘you’ I have found in the text always refer to the same people.

I --> the writer                  you--> the reader involved

VERBS used in the text to EXPRESS OPINION:

• to think

• to be careful in one’s words

• (not) to mean

• to be concerned to

• to find an element

• (not) to take the trouble to talk to you

• to refer to

• to venture to say

• to lead up to

• to wish to make this point especially

a) Who is the essayist addressing?

He is addressing a german audience of listeners

b) Whose opinions are put forward in the essay?

The writer’s opinion are put to the fore front.

c) What is the writer’s main intention?

He aims at convincing the reader of his statement, and in order to manage it he provides logicalargumentations.

d) How does the essayist substantiate his statements?

He demonstrates statements through examples, explanations, quality data and personal opinions.