T.S. Eliot: The Wasteland

Penguin Critical Studies

by Stephen Coote

A central work of modernism, "The Waste Land" evokes a world of moral, sexual and spiritual decay. In it Eliot gives voice to the deep intellectual uncertainty that had existed from the 1870s and to his own sense of the collapse of civilization. Stephen Coote's critical study outlines the historical background that led Eliot to his bleak vision of humanity. He gives a close account of the development of the poem and disucsses fully its arguments, allusions, poetic techniques and patterns of imagery. There is also a chapter on the crucial role played by Ezra Pound in editing the manuscript. Above all, he seeks to elucidate the way in which Eliot drew upon the rich tradition of past centuries, bringing together myth and life-enhancing poetry to create a work that has become a seminal part of our heritage.

Genres: Poetry, Literary Criticism, Criticism

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Stephen Coote is the author of several acclaimed biographies including Royal Survivor: The Life of Charles II, Samuel Pepys, and John Keats: A Life. He was educated at Magdelene College, Cambridge and at Birkbeck College, University of London. He lives in Oxfordshire, England.

Reviews

[Bohemian Book Lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it wasn't for it being the centenary year of THE WASTELAND's publication (1922-2022), I would've dnf'd this frustratingly repetitive, intellectually dry and reductive critical study (if I have to read one more mention of spiritual/sexual sterility, I'll probably bury my head in the book to stifle a scream). I was reduced to browsing through it at times and skipping one section of the chapter on sexuality and religion (alright, I get it! The poem is mainly about sexual and spiritual sterility! Aaahhhhhh!)

That being screamed... I mean said, the chapter on the sources was for me personally quite satisfying to read and immensely interesting (Frazer's THE GOLDEN BOUGH, though a gargantuan tome, will probably make its way onto my shelf one of these days), and just that one chapter alone deserves a 4/3 star rating of its own.

All in all this was an informative companion and guide to Eliot's highly eclectic, modernist epic poem, which will hopefully enrich my future rereadings of it in the years to come.

[Polecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good if you're unfamiliar with any of the background for the poem. The last chapter is particularly useful.

[Diana Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Eliot,
Thanks for doing my head in with your references to so many texts I know nothing of. But also, thanks for pushing my imagination, emotions and urge to retrospectively understand the depravity of your contemporary.
Regards,
Naive, confused reader

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how different characters came together in the poem and how a background of history and society is used to understand the poem. (My only reasoning to not give it 5 stars yet is that I plan to do more in-depth research on it to try and understand it more and then give it a re-read.)

[Panna Priyam Das]

I finished reading and rereading The Waste Land. But alas! I'll never finish reading and rereading The Waste Land.

[Caomhghain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather pedestrian introduction to an exciting poem. Totally textbook.

[Dylan Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love The Wasteland so much! No idea what it means!

[Nicola Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poem I continue to come back to - each time with a new outlook. T.S. Eliot is incredible and this poem is a must read if you have any interest in the Modernist Movement.