Introduction to Modernist 1914 – 1940 Imagism T.S. Eliot

Imagism Major poets Ezra Pound H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)

Characteristics of Imagist Poetry Reaction to Romantic “fuzziness” and facile emotionalism Direct treatment of “the thing” through presentation of an image – a concrete, firm, definite picture Suggestion, not statement, of the abstraction of “meaning” Concentration – avoidance of all words that do not contribute to the presentation Creation of new rhythms to the specifications of the emotion to be conveyed, not to any specific poetic meter

T.S. Eliot The central practitioner of modernist poetry Like Imagists, in revolt against Romanticism The ego, uncontrolled by social institutions is sub-human The essential human personality is the individual in the context of social institutions True poetry is impersonal – takes the stuff of the poet’s life and transforms it into something else One of the key elements of true poetry is an awareness of the poetic tradition of which it becomes a part.

Other influences on Eliot 1912: New edition of the work of 17th century poet John Donne Penchant for highly intellectual poetry Penchant for shocking and obscure imagery and rough verse

Characteristics of Eliot’s poetry Imagistic Colloquial language and slang Allusiveness, suggestiveness Complex and layered Uses irony and puns to express several levels of meaning at the same time

Image patterns in Eliot Salvation Innocence Rose/Hyacinth Garden Young girl Young Hero Purification by water Purgation by fire Detachment Awareness of past cultural achievements Aware of past “rose garden” experiences Damnation Experience of fallen world Dry barren desert Young girl betrayed/abandoned Love destroyed Death by water Destruction by fire Clutching or indifference Disguises No memory