Thank you for your very comprehensive breakdown of this poem. I am currently working my way though a collection of T.S. Eliot's poems that I had bought years prior, and was very struck by the depth of this poem and its themes.
I have studied Sonnet 29 in the past, I always found it to be a poem of redemption, or arguably salvation. It is about finding joy in the things one does have, rather than sadness in the things one doesn’t. I also think it says that one can always find a purpose, if not the same as those around them. This reminds me of Eliot’s ideas in “Use of Poetry…” that poetry will come in and out of importance in society. I think this has parallels with Eliot’s mid-life crisis and conversion. Poetry and writing were his salvation at the beginning of his life, but as he aged they grew less powerful and he turns back to god for purpose.
It is interesting how the phrase “I wish” can be such a powerful driving force in life. It is nearly impossible not to wish for that which we desire the most, which would explain the part about envying the life of a neighbor, “and yet in these thoughts myself almost despising.” Even though one may despise themselves for succumbing to envy’s control, it is apparent that there is an air of frustration in not being more carefree and content in life. The fact of reality is that this life is unique, and there is no point wasting time wishing for something that is out of our reach. It is not an easy task to disown personal desires and dreams, but this is not always necessary. Being alive is full of things which are actually attainable and can bring us joy and pleasure. So the key is simply spending more time becoming attuned to life’s possibilities, rather than focusing on impossibilities of our dreams. Of course this is easier said than done, and the challenge of converting to faith in something which cannot be verified shares a similar difficulty. For Eliot, it’s as if he recognizes that he wants to put his faith in God yet he seems paradoxically fixated on the reality of his own faithlessness, which could potentially explain the reason for the debatability of the genre of Ash-Wednesday.
@@BrentKalar In my opinion, Ash-Wednesday does not conforms to the idea of being a 'conversion poem' since Eliot's disposition and tonality seems lamentable and bleak. Not that conversion poetry is technically a genre of poetry or anything, perhaps genre is not the right word here. Rather, the overall intentions and underlying meaning which is set for by Eliot seems to be less than confident in terms of faith and religion.
I interpreted Eliot's poem to have the elements of what I would conceive to be a "conversion poem", although I do appreciate Eliot's articulated struggle coming to terms with the fact that there are certain questions that religion cannot answer, in which faith must supersede. I also think that he recognizes he will have to limit the content of his intellectual prowess, as is he doesn't, he will constantly be questioning the rational faculty of certain religious concepts that require faith and not cerebral cohesion. I think this inaugurates his acknowledgment of not wanting to turn back to his old self, to not revert to intellectual arrogance, in which he inhibits himself from attaining a spiritual serenity. This made me think of Nietzsche and Heidegger's reference to the "abyss" and how perhaps our existence is more salutiferous if we accept that there are questions that will never have answers for or some that are better off left unanswered. I respect Eliot’s transparency of his internal conflicts, which displays authenticity in the arrival of his faith.
Initially Eliot was so obscure and dull to me. But the more I read him the more I know about him. And the videos of differnt scholars like you help me a lot.In reading Eliot it seems to me that there is some similarity between his poetries and dramas, as for example, 'THE FOUR QUARTETS' & 'THE FAMILY REUNION" . Really Eliot is a great poet. Thanks a lot SIR. Your explanation helps me to understand the poetry . I've one request if you kindly dicsuss about " The Four Quartets". I've subscribed your channel to get more about Eliot. From India.
Thanks for the kind feedback. I did always intend to tackle the "Four Quartets" at some time in the not too distant future. Right now, I am busy working through a series on Western Metaphysics, but perhaps in mid-December I will do that. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thank you for your very comprehensive breakdown of this poem. I am currently working my way though a collection of T.S. Eliot's poems that I had bought years prior, and was very struck by the depth of this poem and its themes.
I have studied Sonnet 29 in the past, I always found it to be a poem of redemption, or arguably salvation. It is about finding joy in the things one does have, rather than sadness in the things one doesn’t. I also think it says that one can always find a purpose, if not the same as those around them. This reminds me of Eliot’s ideas in “Use of Poetry…” that poetry will come in and out of importance in society. I think this has parallels with Eliot’s mid-life crisis and conversion. Poetry and writing were his salvation at the beginning of his life, but as he aged they grew less powerful and he turns back to god for purpose.
It is interesting how the phrase “I wish” can be such a powerful driving force in life. It is nearly impossible not to wish for that which we desire the most, which would explain the part about envying the life of a neighbor, “and yet in these thoughts myself almost despising.” Even though one may despise themselves for succumbing to envy’s control, it is apparent that there is an air of frustration in not being more carefree and content in life. The fact of reality is that this life is unique, and there is no point wasting time wishing for something that is out of our reach. It is not an easy task to disown personal desires and dreams, but this is not always necessary. Being alive is full of things which are actually attainable and can bring us joy and pleasure. So the key is simply spending more time becoming attuned to life’s possibilities, rather than focusing on impossibilities of our dreams. Of course this is easier said than done, and the challenge of converting to faith in something which cannot be verified shares a similar difficulty. For Eliot, it’s as if he recognizes that he wants to put his faith in God yet he seems paradoxically fixated on the reality of his own faithlessness, which could potentially explain the reason for the debatability of the genre of Ash-Wednesday.
This is a very good comment, but I was unclear what you meant by "the debatability of the genre." Can you clarify?
@@BrentKalar In my opinion, Ash-Wednesday does not conforms to the idea of being a 'conversion poem' since Eliot's disposition and tonality seems lamentable and bleak. Not that conversion poetry is technically a genre of poetry or anything, perhaps genre is not the right word here. Rather, the overall intentions and underlying meaning which is set for by Eliot seems to be less than confident in terms of faith and religion.
I interpreted Eliot's poem to have the elements of what I would conceive to be a "conversion poem", although I do appreciate Eliot's articulated struggle coming to terms with the fact that there are certain questions that religion cannot answer, in which faith must supersede. I also think that he recognizes he will have to limit the content of his intellectual prowess, as is he doesn't, he will constantly be questioning the rational faculty of certain religious concepts that require faith and not cerebral cohesion. I think this inaugurates his acknowledgment of not wanting to turn back to his old self, to not revert to intellectual arrogance, in which he inhibits himself from attaining a spiritual serenity. This made me think of Nietzsche and Heidegger's reference to the "abyss" and how perhaps our existence is more salutiferous if we accept that there are questions that will never have answers for or some that are better off left unanswered. I respect Eliot’s transparency of his internal conflicts, which displays authenticity in the arrival of his faith.
Nice connection, although I am sure Nietzsche and Heidegger would have been appalled at Eliot's choice to convert to Christianity.
Initially Eliot was so obscure and dull to me. But the more I read him the more I know about him. And the videos of differnt scholars like you help me a lot.In reading Eliot it seems to me that there is some similarity between his poetries and dramas, as for example, 'THE FOUR QUARTETS' & 'THE FAMILY REUNION" . Really Eliot is a great poet. Thanks a lot SIR. Your explanation helps me to understand the poetry .
I've one request if you kindly dicsuss about " The Four Quartets". I've subscribed your channel to get more about Eliot.
From India.
Thanks for the kind feedback. I did always intend to tackle the "Four Quartets" at some time in the not too distant future. Right now, I am busy working through a series on Western Metaphysics, but perhaps in mid-December I will do that. Thanks for the suggestion.