What are the qualities of Elliot’s writing style? What maybe some reasons for the long standing influence of his essays?

 

Introduction: T.S. Eliot’s literary style was exceedingly melancholy because the era that he was living in was filled with anguish and depression. His works of literature vary from his use of traditional dramatic structure to mythical method. Eliot's perception of life as nothing more than a struggle is expressed in his literary works by his use of realistic themes such as depression, human isolation and through his religious imagery. For example, The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock is a dramatic monologue about love. On the other hand, The Waste Land is more mythical and explains deeper into religion and God. Eliot created his writing style based on his own personal experiences; therefore his poems and essays all show incredible skills for the long standing influence.

Description: Eliot's writing technique differs from many other poets of his time such as William Butler Yeats whose mood was not expressed as often in his works. Eliot's writings aim to touch peoples lives and try to connect with them. His intentions were to demonstrate real life by bringing out true emotion. He did this by using real life scenarios that people could be more familiar with, rather than romance and adventure. He was part of the anti- romantic revolution; therefore his poems have a deeper meaning. His poems are more of a combination of mythical, philosophical and Christian imagery in order to find a poetic way to poetically describe a modern dilemma.

What stands out from the beginning in Eliot's poetry is his unique style and cunning. He uses his own form of language that appeals to the reader at the moment. He describes ideas and gives vivid images that seem almost realistic to the person reading it and he makes one feel as if part of the poem. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and Portrait of a Lady are as striking today as they were in 1917. The way he manipulates the phrases handles the pauses, and the counter pointing of informal and formal speech. These are all techniques that represent skill and have stayed with him steadily. A perfect example of this is the poem “Four Quarters” where Eliot uses mystical method. He relates himself to the poem and creates a wonderful sense of illusion. On the contrary in the poem “The Waste Land” Eliot pulls away from human difficulty by showing his love for religion. However, it does not disregard his anger and rage against the corruption of society instead he states that politics are involved in religion.

Furthermore, Eliot’s poems meant to have an impact on the reader. They contain a deep meaning that can have a valid effect on someone. Especially in his later works were he was “moving towards a religious sense of life.” (Miller 186) He never confuses poetry for anything that might sound like poetry, or what casual readers might mistake for poetry. In other words, Eliot’s verses were not created for simple minds because they do not contain simple meanings. Eliot relates to his readers by creating themes that one may be able to pertain to from our own experiences and emotions. One may conclude from his readings that he was a pessimistic and dark man because his literary style often sets a melancholy and mystical mood. For instance, The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock is considered to be one of his best works because of its high dramatic unit.

Eliot also portrays the theme of human isolation. While he uses the theme of estrangement between man and woman it may also signify the larger theme of the individuals isolation, his estrangement from other people and the world. Eliot speaks of man on a quest to become one with himself and find himself at peace. “It is Eliot method which marks him inescapably as of this age.” (March 25) He wants to communicate the predicament of modern man in the midst of lost meaning. The theme of isolation and alienation from the world and society is fore most seen in The Waste Land. This one of Eliot’s most popular poems describing the disgust and depressing personalities of society. The Waste Land is intensely personal, and the basis of its technique and progression lies in an individualized conscience.

Conclusion: These basic styles of writing, the humor, the imagery he put into his writing, the sufferings from life and all the experience he faced in his life he wrote them in a mystical way. His poem and writing talks about life that we lead. The twist of his writings bloomed our mind like a black hole. And all of these characteristics are the reasons of the long standings influence of his essays.