Study Guide to T.S. Eliot “The Four Quartets”

The Battle Between Traditional History and Inclusive History Is On!

Eliot’s last and greatest poetic work was a collection of four long poems each exploring the theme of time and eternity. Written largely during the Second World War (1939-1945) they were first published together in 1943. Eliot won the Nobel Prize in Literature shortly after. I first came across “The Four Quartets” as an undergraduate in 1971. I loved their sound, but their meaning went well over my head. Now, only fifty years later, I returned to this work and have published a study guide to the text. I finally got to grips with the difficulties of this great work and produced what I hope is a clear explication of Eliot’s meaning. I am not sure how widely read Eliot is these days, but this book will help anyone interested in understanding “The Four Quartets.”

With the publication in book form of “The 1619 Project” (Nov. 2021), we now have a definitive reply to the Trump-era “The 1776 Report.” Both texts raise the question of how American Education should approach the teaching of Slavery and the racism that, founded on slavery, outlived its abolition. You will be aware that I have already written on “The 1776 Report.” Now I have released two companion volumes that deal with “The 1619 Project.” The two books are: “Slavery, The 1619 Project and American Education” and “Study Guide: Understanding The 1619 Project.” I hope that you will take a look at these two works on Amazon.com and bring them to the attention of any friends who might be interested.

As an educator for 38 years, I know how important it is to teach students the truth no matter what the subject. However, the truth not only sets people free; it can also be hurtful and discomforting. That is a price that teachers and students have to be prepared to pay because comfortable lies only let you down in the end. I regard these three books as the most important I have written.

Looking forward

I seem to have fallen into a Jane Auster phase with the publication of “The Darcys of Pemberley: A Sequel to ‘Pride and Prejudice.'” I have already started a continuation of “Sanditon,” the novel that Austen left unfinished at her death. I am also contemplating another novel “Winter Comes to Pemberley” that will take up the story of Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam, and Georgina Darcy in about 1820.

I have long wanted to reread “Emma” and “Mansfield Park” and this will be necessary if I am to write the novels I have just mentioned, so I also plan to write study guides to these two novels. Altogether, it does not seem like 2022 will be a boring year – and we have several cruises to look forward to, COVID willing.

The post 2022- What’s next- looking forward and back! first appeared on Mystery Writer and Educational Author.