A Student's Guide to the Selected Poems of T.S. Eliot - B.C. Southam

One of those books you have to do at school . . .

Advantages: Great poetry.
Disadvantages: Elitist, snobbish and racist.

Eliot as on about here! In the book, there is also Eiot's second-most famous poem, The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock. This is an easier read than the Waste Land, more accessible, more enjoyable, but not as deep or as serious. However, many of the same themes are employed. Eliot employs the image of cats in this poem and they are used as a metaphor for the evening - a predator, both attractive and yet dangerous. The use of the phrase 'cheap hotels', like in the Waste Land, suggests sordid sexual behaviour - this is not mentioned explicitly, appropriately for the character of Prufrock, he 'doesn't dare' - he is too refined to put such thoughts on paper. Modern life to Eliot is dirty and full of secrets. Like the Wasteland, there are cultural references in the poem, but we feel that he women who are talking of Michelangelo are not ...

drewish 28.02.2007 (12.06.2008) · Read full review
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Review of The Waste Land and Other Poems - T.S. Eliot

Eliot is a master of peotry

Advantages: Excellent to study, brilliant to read
Disadvantages: Snobbery, too many allusions?

I have to admit, I LOVE T.S. Eliot. He manages to create something magical with words, taking something very ordinary and twisting it in such a way that is perplexing and charming. The Waste Land is a bit of a mammoth of a poem, but takes you on a journey through despondency, hope and suffering, and is a must-read, taking up the Holy Grail Legend in a new light. His characters throughout are often depressed souls, whose lives have little purpose, and he tries to show you how spirituality can be your salvation from average, routine, mundane life. At times, however, Eliot loses us with his allusions to texts from all walks of history and cultures, which take some time to pick through; a result of his thorough education and snobbery. ...

tidapop 28.05.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The Waste Land and Other Poems - T.S. Eliot

Eliot's best work in one volume

Advantages: Essential Eliot poems, collected into one volume
Disadvantages: If you don't like Eliot, you'll hate this

I bought this book because it includes The Waste Land and The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock, two of my favourite Eliot poems. I would say that if you like Eliot's more experimental poetry, this is a must. If, however, you are a diehard fan of Old Possum's, you might want to steer clear of this. Some find these particular poems quite pretentious, due to their length and language. I would agree with this in part, but I also think that anyone who reads these poems will come away with something different from them. The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock should be read by everyone, particularly students of English, or just anyone interested in poetry. It was a groundbreaking poem at the time, thanks to its mostly free verse structure, and its satirical tone. All in all, I would recommend this book for readers who appreciate Eliot already, as ...

blue_orchid_0 13.11.2006 · Read full review
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Review of The Waste Land and Other Poems - T.S. Eliot