This blog
is a part of my classroom activity.
Here is
the link of classroom activity : http://dilipbarad.blogspot.in/
· My answers to the three questions
about contradiction of Eliot with Nietzsche and Freud and the use of Indian thoughts
in “The Waste Land”:
1) What are your views on the following image
after reading 'The Waste Land'? Do you think that Eliot is regressive as
compared to Nietzsche's views? or Has Eliot achieved universality of thought by
recalling mytho-historical answer to the contemporary malaise?
T. S. Eliot and Nietzsche
both are totally opposite in their views, but both can be considering as right on
their place.
Eliot believes in
supernatural power and he wanted to evoke that supernatural instinct in the
heart of people for better future, he has taken the old mythical as well as
logical ideas from past with the help of Upanishads as well as various
cultures.
On the other hand
Nietzsche is like an atheist, he believes in human power as a “superman” that
only man can help themselves and “God is dead”. He was convinced that traditional
values represented a “slave morality”.
Both interpretations
are true, but we cannot say that Eliot is regressive as compared to Nietzsche's
views because what Eliot is using past reference to answer the contemporary
malaise. Those myths and thinking has earlier changed the way of thinking of
people, for example Buddhism was a prominent religion which has developed
humanity in people. As far as Nietzsche’s views are concerned, he is believing
in “superhuman”, yes that is true that the concept is good but not everyone can
became a man with super powers of strong will or The Übermensch which means ‘beyond man’.
The view of
Eliot can be considered as more realistic than Nietzsche. Nietzsche is finding
the solution of present in future, and Eliot is finding the solution of present
and future in past. Nietzsche believes in assumptions while Eliot has proved it
universally correct, by examine all the cultures.
2) Prior
to the speech, Gustaf Hellström of the Swedish Academy made these remarks:
What are your views regarding these comments? Is
it true that giving free vent to the repressed 'primitive instinct' lead us to
happy and satisfied life? Or do you agree with Eliot's view that 'salvation of
man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition'?
Yes, it is truth that
giving free vent to the repressed “primitive instinct” can lead us to happy and
satisfied life, but only individually. If the whole universe is concern we
cannot behave which is not good for the world. The things and happiness which
is satisfying us can harm others and which gives pleasure to others can harm
us. But if all will follow such culture tradition and believe in such lifestyle
and moralities, a network of understanding can be created and humans can live
peacefully.
3) Write about allusions to the Indian thoughts
in 'The Waste Land'. (Where, How and Why are the Indian thoughts
referred?)
In “The Waste Land” Eliot has
presented various cultures and languages to connect the world with one
universal thought. In first four parts Eliot has described that how sexual
perversion has overpowered the spirituality of humans and in the last part “What
the thunder said” he described the solution of spiritual degradation by referring
in Indian culture and Upanishads. The allusions to the Indian thoughts are:
Eliot refers to Wisdom of India for spiritual salvation
of modern humanity by giving the reference of
“Ganga was sunken, and the limp leaves
Waited for rain, while the black clouds
Gathered far distant, over Himavant.
The jungle crouched, humped in silence.
Then spoke the thunder”
Then there is a reference of three ‘Da’
1) Datta : to give: not only
charity but giving oneself for some noble cause – passionate participation, not
mere mechanical – devote oneself for noble deeds and for that he has given an
example of Daan-vir Karna, Bhamasha.
2) Dayadhvam: sympathise – empathize yourself with the
sorrows and suffering of others, come out of your isolation
and live into others.
3) Damyata: Self Control, control over one’s passions and
desires.
This all are the deep rooted philosophy of Indian culture
which Eliot wants to be followed by Waste lander.
The last lines,
“Shantih shantih shantih “
suggests ‘the peace which passeth understanding’. The word
‘Shanti” is used for peaceful life in most of the chants of Indian Vedas and
Upanishads and Eliot has also used it to end his poem and to give the
message of peace.
it was really beneficial to me.
ReplyDeleteThat's good.
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