INTRODUCTION
The modern epic called "The Waste Land" published in 1922(along with James Joyce's 'Ullyses') by T. S. Eliot(a modernist and esoteric writer and poet).
The poem is divided into five parts
- THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
- THE GAME OF CHESS
- THE FIRE SERMON
- DEATH BY WATER
- WHAT THE THUNDER SAID
This modern epic is written in fragmented, complexive and intrinsic style, with confusing, incoherent and unconnected structure. To find the proper link and connection, among all fragments, a reader need to invent and discover a new style, on his/her own.
To determine the detachment of poet from poetry, Eliot has used many mythical allusions from the history; from East as well as from West.
For Example: Myth of Philomela, Phlebas, Euginides, Sosostris, Marie, hyacinth girl(Tiresias-A human and fore experienced person of all myths and events in poem) Lil, Albert, Isolde etc.
Though it seems as detachment is acquired from the poetry, but in autobiographical elements, some aspects of his life, leaks out in his own poem.
Further we will see through its summary, upnishadic concept, Freudianism thought, Gustaf Hellstrom's remarks and Fredrich Neitsche's contemplation, on Eliot's belief on "preservation of cultural traditions".
UNDERSTANDING OF THE EPIC POEM
The poem is based on life-in-death and death-in-life by Cleanth Brooks. Which in a contrast is one of the favorite major themes of T. S. Eliot, attributing religion as Christian a central theme of the poem.
She has integrated the idea of sexual perversion and spiritual degradation. How both are interconnected and influenced by one another. Spiritual degradation is highlighted through three waste lands; the wasteland of Fisher King, the wasteland of Emmaus(in old testament) and the wasteland of king Oedipus.
How the blighting curse of the land, led to defertilization of land, out of which no corpses grows, how reproduction of animals is prevented due to plight of the land and as a solution it is suggested that If a knight comes, and asks the meaning of the symbols then perhaps the land can be restored(Which Eliot says is necessary to understand to get through its meaning).
The land of Emmaus, which I'm not discussing in detail.
The land of Oedipus, where Oedipus is blind, that has led him to prophesied.
In first part of the poem, the burial of the dead, we see the sterility and waste in the form of memory and desire and how winter is providing warmth, while April is depicted as a cruellest month(that stirs lilacs out of the deaden land) how a lilac like spirit can be stirred from the deaden land? The example of death-in-life.
In second part, the game of chess, the major part of sexual perversion is highlighted. How one is playing with moves and intrigue, counter moves, the innocent are exploited.
An example from myth of Euginides is given, who is related with homosexuality(Eliot says for this kind an abnormal state of sexual perversion)and the Hotel Metropole, where the sexual practices are commercialized. In some cases it has now become routine, a mechanical process, specifically in the case of 'the typist and the clerk'. Sexual practise can be seen in two ways, as a primitive function and a drive to procreate and vitalize. If it is used in former context, then only it will give momentary pleasure and benefits, if in latter then it will be helpful in long time healthy life repercussions and in providing love and satisfaction of living life.
King Fisher in this poem is known for restoring virility as he is characterised as an impotent regarding sexual life.
The very life of T. S. Eliot is also connected where he says that(got married in 1915) when Vivienne Haigh Wood was involved with Russell a mathematician and philosopher, he tolerated though he was jealous, due to impotency towards healthy sexual life and Vivienne is characterised with nervous agitation and sexual promiscuity(which will give a free vent to feministic study of this poem).
In this poem an example from Paradise lost is also given in context of Christian religion, where it is saying that any humanbeing is liable to tempt towards flesh, giving way to temptation is denial to spirit, so disobedience to God and therefore leads to spiritual degradation. In alike manner Eve in Paradise lost had done and so there was fall of man. According to Christianity, the redemption can be achieved through penance, prayer and suffering(In reference with the time of ancient mariner).
Similarly in fire sermon(part-3) the cleansing and purgation of sin can be achieved through burning in the fire(a kind of suffering) where the sins will be cleansed and the person would have a rebirth with reestablished spirituality.
The fourth part suggest life-in-death aspect, where the spirituality is gained through death by water(Hellam, his friend's life is connected here, who was dead in War).
So it suggests to listen the voice of thunder in the last part, where it suggests three ways to live life as per upnishadic concept that one must be a given(Da), one must be compassionate(Dayadhvam) one must self-control(Damyata).
All in all in F. O. Matheisan's words Eliot has reflected past with the present as a universal theme(aptly taken historical sense from ancient myths, classical myths, legendary figures, and the markers of land) and tried to illuminate both past and the present. He takes one Idea from the past that If with such precautions and appropriate deeds past was healed as we have seen in three wastelands represented by different mythical or religious occupiers, why it can't heal in present. At surface level he seems to be a preserver of the culture as Gustaf Hellstorm allege him to be, from Swedish Academy, It seems to be, but may be he is trying to suggest only that one must have the historical sense to deal with any situation, rather than looking the situation in present context only. If it is seen in this manner, then it won't be healed but further it will get deteriorated.
Thus in this way both the themes are interconnected. The latter is legitimized in Eliot's arena as a sin(Probably to prevent spiritual degradation), so it is sin but as the poem is presented in dismantling manner, it seems that all the ongoing rituals in modern day are illegitimized(Refering to do as one likes, one of the aspects of culture and anarchy by Mathew Arnold). So the situation is honestly reciprocated with despair, desolation, dissolution and despondency by modern men. At last we can see that it is emphasizing on Indian Philosophy as only solution for every problems and that is DA, DATTA and DAYADHVAM.
UPNISHADIC CONCEPT IN "WHAT THE THUNDER SAID"
In Indain Philosophy it is said that one humanbeing with another humanbeing should be compassionate, a reliable giver and when time arises also self-control himself/herself which is construed from the last part of 'the wasteland' by T. S. Eliot called 'What the thunder said', emphasizing on three aspects for living life and those are; Da(giver), Datta(self-control) and Dayadhvam(compassionate).
If a person has digested these three aspects musively, he/she can live life amusingly and peacefully. But this is too difficult to practice, only your response to specific situation will determine how tolerative you're.
Conclusion
Thus Eliot suggests self-suffering, penancing, praying is a way to lead good and healthy life and for wisdom of humility one should practise these three thunder voices.
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