Bridge Course: T.S. Eliot - Criticism - Tradition and Individual Talent

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 Bridge Course: T.S. Eliot - Criticism - Tradition and Individual Talent


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 T.S. Eliot’s "Tradition and the Individual Talent"


T.S. Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent" (1919) argues that tradition is a dynamic framework reshaped by new works. Poets must engage with the literary past while contributing fresh ideas. Eliot emphasizes impersonal poetry, where universal art transcends personal emotion, making this essay a cornerstone of modernist literary criticism. 



The Relationship Between “Tradition” and “Individual Talent” in T.S. Eliot’s View


According to T.S. Eliot in his essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," tradition and individual talent are interdependent. Tradition represents the cumulative literary heritage of the past, which forms the foundation for all creative work. It is dynamic and evolves as new works of art emerge. Individual talent, on the other hand, is the unique contribution a poet brings to this tradition.

Eliot argues that a true artist must not reject tradition but immerse themselves in it, understanding and engaging with the literary achievements of the past. By doing so, the poet can place their work within this continuum, adding something original that reshapes and enriches tradition. In this way, individual talent contributes to the ongoing evolution of literary history.


  • "Some can absorb knowledge; the more tardy must sweat for it. Shakespeare acquired more essential history from Plutarch than most men could from the whole British Museum."

This phrase highlights the different ways individuals acquire knowledge. Some people have a natural aptitude for learning, grasping new concepts with ease, while others must work diligently and persistently to achieve the same understanding.

This quote highlights Shakespeare’s unique ability to absorb and transform knowle dge from sources like Plutarch into brilliant works. Unlike most, who need extensive effort, Shakespeare instinctively grasped and creatively used this knowledge, reflecting Eliot’s idea that great poets merge tradition with originality through their talent.


  • "Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation are directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry." 

This statement by T.S. Eliot emphasizes the distinction between the poet and their work. Eliot argues that criticism and appreciation should focus on the poetry itself—its structure, meaning, and impact—rather than the poet’s personal life, emotions, or intentions.

For Eliot, a great poem exists independently of its creator. The poet’s role is to craft art that transcends their individuality, transforming personal emotions into universal experiences. Therefore, critics and readers should evaluate a poem based on its intrinsic qualities, not on assumptions about the poet's biography or personality. This perspective aligns with Eliot’s impersonal theory of poetry, where the work, not the artist, takes center stage.


1. Tradition: A Living Stream


Eliot challenges the idea that "tradition" is merely about sticking to the past. For him, tradition is dynamic and constantly evolving. It’s like a flowing river where each writer adds something new without disrupting its continuity.


A poet or artist, according to Eliot, doesn’t work in isolation. Instead, they are connected to the entire body of existing literature. They must study the great works of the past to understand their place within this larger context.




2. The Individual Talent: Merging the Personal and the Universal


Eliot introduces the idea that a poet’s job is to bring their individual talent into dialogue with tradition. But here’s the catch—poetry, for Eliot, is not about self-expression.


He famously writes, “Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion.” In simpler terms, great poetry doesn’t gush out the poet’s raw feelings; it transforms them into something universal that can speak to everyone.




3. The Impersonal Theory of Poetry


One of Eliot’s boldest claims is his "impersonal theory." He argues that poets must suppress their personal emotions and ego to create art. Instead of focusing on their personality, they should focus on perfecting their craft.


He uses a chemical analogy to explain this. A poet is like a catalyst in a chemical reaction: they bring the ingredients (feelings, experiences) together but remain unchanged themselves.




4. Relevance to Modern Writers


Eliot’s essay is a must-read for anyone interested in writing or understanding literature. It teaches us:


How to appreciate the interplay between old and new.

The importance of discipline and detachment in creative work.

That true originality is born from engaging with the works of others, not rejecting them.



5.  The Role of the Individual Talent


While tradition is crucial, Eliot also highlights the poet’s individual talent. The poet must bring something new and personal to the table while respecting the influence of past works. This balance creates a unique and timeless contribution to literature. 




 6. Impersonal Poetry: Art Beyond Emotion


One of Eliot’s most revolutionary ideas is the concept of impersonal poetry. He argues that poetry should not be a mere expression of the poet’s personal feelings. Instead, great poets use their craft to transform personal emotions into universal experiences.


Eliot likens this to a chemical process, where the poet acts as a catalyst, allowing different emotions and experiences to combine and create something entirely new. 



Eliot's theory of depersonalization :




Depersonalization, a cornerstone of T.S. Eliot’s literary theory, represents the idea that poets should detach their personal emotions and experiences from their creative work. This concept seeks to elevate poetry from the confines of individual subjectivity to a realm of universal truth and emotional resonance. 


1. The Poet as a Catalyst :

Eliot compares the poet to a chemical catalyst. Just as a piece of platinum facilitates a chemical reaction without undergoing any change itself, the poet acts as a medium for creating poetry. The poet's personality and emotions are not directly expressed in the poem; instead, the poem becomes an independent entity.

2. Art as an Objective Correlative :

Eliot believes that poetry should not be a direct expression of the poet’s personal feelings or emotions. Instead, a poet must find an "objective correlative"—a set of objects, situations, or a chain of events—to evoke a specific emotion in the reader. This ensures that the poem resonates universally, independent of the poet's individual experiences.

3. Escape from Personality :

According to Eliot, great art involves an “escape from personality” rather than its expression. The poet's personal biases, emotions, and experiences must be transcended. The focus is on the artistic tradition and the poem itself, not the individual identity of the poet.

4. Tradition and Innovation :

Eliot emphasizes the importance of tradition in poetry. A poet must understand and assimilate the works of predecessors while contributing something new to the literary canon. The poet achieves depersonalization by placing personal feelings within the broader context of literary tradition.

5. Impersonal Theory of Poetry :

Eliot’s theory advocates for an impersonal approach to poetry. The poet is a vessel through which the collective cultural and historical experience is filtered, refined, and transformed into art. The poet's personal life becomes irrelevant to the appreciation of their work.

T.S. Eliot viewed poetry as an impersonal craft, stating that “Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality.” He saw the poet as a catalyst, transforming emotions into universal art, with the poet's personality serving as a medium, not the source.




References : 

Karageorgos, N. (2019b). “A LIST OF SOME OBSERVATIONS”: THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF DEPERSONALIZATION IN T. S. ELIOT AND JOSEPH BRODSKY. The Slavic and East European Journal, 63(3), 408–430. https://www.jstor.org/stable/45408550

DoE-MKBU. (2012, June 22). Unit 1: 4.1 T.S. Eliot - Introduction | Contemporaries and Eliot’s persona [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_svovtvE6uof


DoE-MKBU. (2012b, June 30). Unit 4: T.S. Eliot: Tradition & Association with Individual Talent [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7-GwBor4fU

DoE-MKBU. (2012b, June 23). Unit 4: 4.2.1 (2): T.S. Eliot—Some can absorb knowledge [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TsIwj7LaHs

Tradition and the Individual Talent | essay by Eliot | Britannica. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tradition-and-the-Individual-Talent

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