Learning Paths » 5B Interacting
EEsposito- Essay by T.S. Eliot- Analysis
by - (2011-10-04)
Up to 5B - Methodological Module for Textual Analysis
The main point of the essay written by Eliot is that the English language is the richest for poetry because it has the largest vocabulary even if this doesn't mean that England has produced the greatest poets or amount of poetry.
According to the author's opinion this richness is due to the variety of elements of which English is made of. For example it is characterized by a Germanic foundation, it contains Scandinavian and Norman French and it contains words of Latin and Celtic origin.
To further clarify his opinion the essayist points out that the English language is also reach in its rhythmic variety thanks to some metrical elements (for example the rhythm of the early Saxon, the Norman French and Welsh which influence also the modern language) as well as the influence of Latin and Greek poetry.
Taking all these elements into consideration the poet also states that English is a good language for poetry because it derives from many linguistic sources.
Nevertheless England has not produced the greatest poets. It is commonly believed that the greatest people excel in one art. The author mentions some countries and some arts: for example Italy and French are said to excel in painting, Germany in music and England in poetry.
In the author's opinion this is not correct for some reasons. First of all art cannot be considerate exclusive of one country. Secondly the lead in one art is not always taken from the same country. For example the Romantic movement in English poetry dominated in final of the 18 th century but the greatest contribution to the movement was made in France in the second half of the 19 th century.
In addition Eliot says that a nation which leads in a particular art form in a particular period does not necessarily produce the greatest artists; for example when in England the Romanticism was at the top, the most important author was Goethe and he was German.
In conclusion the essayist states that no European nation would have accomplished what it has, as far as culture is concerned, if other countries have not developed the same art forms; European literature is characterized by the ability to renew itself thanks to the assimilation of influences from abroad and the consideration of past experiences.
According to the author's opinion this richness is due to the variety of elements of which English is made of. For example it is characterized by a Germanic foundation, it contains Scandinavian and Norman French and it contains words of Latin and Celtic origin.
To further clarify his opinion the essayist points out that the English language is also reach in its rhythmic variety thanks to some metrical elements (for example the rhythm of the early Saxon, the Norman French and Welsh which influence also the modern language) as well as the influence of Latin and Greek poetry.
Taking all these elements into consideration the poet also states that English is a good language for poetry because it derives from many linguistic sources.
Nevertheless England has not produced the greatest poets. It is commonly believed that the greatest people excel in one art. The author mentions some countries and some arts: for example Italy and French are said to excel in painting, Germany in music and England in poetry.
In the author's opinion this is not correct for some reasons. First of all art cannot be considerate exclusive of one country. Secondly the lead in one art is not always taken from the same country. For example the Romantic movement in English poetry dominated in final of the 18 th century but the greatest contribution to the movement was made in France in the second half of the 19 th century.
In addition Eliot says that a nation which leads in a particular art form in a particular period does not necessarily produce the greatest artists; for example when in England the Romanticism was at the top, the most important author was Goethe and he was German.
In conclusion the essayist states that no European nation would have accomplished what it has, as far as culture is concerned, if other countries have not developed the same art forms; European literature is characterized by the ability to renew itself thanks to the assimilation of influences from abroad and the consideration of past experiences.