The Waste Land: Burial of the Dead (TS Eliot)

The Waste Land by TS Eliot ——————————- The Waste Land can be difficult to comprehend; this poem is made up of a series of perplexing, seemingly absurd statements, along with several cultural, literary, and biblical allusions. While many have tried to interpret Eliot’s poem, I find that Eliot’s notes are the most valuable resource in understanding The Waste Land. Though we may never have a definitive answer to The Waste Land’s meaning, Eliot’s citations provide helpful insight. Many of these references can be found on this website, which has been very helpful to me: eliotswasteland.tripod.com The Waste Land can be read in two ways: it can be read by ignoring Eliot’s allusions, acknowledging merely the literal text, or it can be read by keeping Eliot’s allusions in mind. I, personally, believe that the allusions are crucial to understanding the poem. ——————————- As for the video, I have tried to keep my interpretation fairly true to the literal text. I have tried to avoid inserting my own personal hypotheses of the poem’s meaning into this video. I have not suggested any insight to the greater “meaning” of the poem, assuming a definite meaning exists, in this video, but I have suggested certain themes; I have tried to emphasize the idea of fertility, new life, resurrection, etc. (In my “Background” notes below, I have noted the sources that Eliot has cited as influences of his work; The Burial of the Dead has many fertility …
Video Rating: 5 / 5