I find Eliot very difficult, and love his work very much. I had the privilege of doing a peer review of one of G. Doug Atkins' books about Eliot, which brought to a deep appreciation of Eliot's brilliance. I don't half understand what is going on in this poem, but the first read this morning (it's been a long time since I read it) gave me chills -- it seems to be one of those poems whose images just keep coming and coming and whether you understand them or not you are overwhelmed by some (perhaps indefinable) emotion. Your explication here is very helpful and made the second read more fruitful without loss of the initial emotional reaction. Thank you!
For thirty years, I have thought, “I really enjoy reading Joseph Bottum, but ‘What T.S. Eliot Almost Believed’ was a surprisingly huge misunderstanding of Eliot.” It is so rare for people to write an essay saying, “Thirty years ago, I was wrong.” So, you can imagine my joy in reading this. To celebrate, I am off to go pre-order the new collection of the Christmas hits.
I have to say, of all the poets my friends endlessly rave about, T.S. Eliot is the one I still struggle with the most. I greatly appreciate your elucidating essays.
I find Eliot very difficult, and love his work very much. I had the privilege of doing a peer review of one of G. Doug Atkins' books about Eliot, which brought to a deep appreciation of Eliot's brilliance. I don't half understand what is going on in this poem, but the first read this morning (it's been a long time since I read it) gave me chills -- it seems to be one of those poems whose images just keep coming and coming and whether you understand them or not you are overwhelmed by some (perhaps indefinable) emotion. Your explication here is very helpful and made the second read more fruitful without loss of the initial emotional reaction. Thank you!
For thirty years, I have thought, “I really enjoy reading Joseph Bottum, but ‘What T.S. Eliot Almost Believed’ was a surprisingly huge misunderstanding of Eliot.” It is so rare for people to write an essay saying, “Thirty years ago, I was wrong.” So, you can imagine my joy in reading this. To celebrate, I am off to go pre-order the new collection of the Christmas hits.
Thank you, Joseph. Fine analysis. My intuition is that phase two Eliot is something like: only forgiveness, after such knowledge.
I have to say, of all the poets my friends endlessly rave about, T.S. Eliot is the one I still struggle with the most. I greatly appreciate your elucidating essays.