A Reader's Guide to T.S. Eliot: A Poem-By-Poem Analysis

by George S. Williamson

George Williamson treats his subject with great precision. Documenting his analyses with ample quotes from the poems and essays, he elucidates the structure and meaning of Eliot’s masterpieces. To make this guide more accessible, the poems are arranged in chronological order, as they appeared in The Complete Poems and Plays.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Literary Criticism

248 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1953

About the author

George Williamson is an assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama.

Reviews

[Rabishu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough going in places (language is highly academic), but worthwhile. Derived many insights from it into Eliot's poems that otherwise would have evaded me.

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful to read the introduction and the epilogue chapters first then the specific chapters that relate to individual poems of interest. This book gave me a better grip on Eliot's body of work and whetted my thirst to study this important 20th century poet some more.

[Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first got the book I was a bit disappointed by its size.
I thought, how can this little book fit all of T.S. Eliot's poetry?

Even though it's relatively short, this book is capable of piercing the surface providing great insight and reflection about the poems and the poet.
I have already read and heard much about Eliot, and I was surprised to find so much new information.

However, this book is only for a true lover of T.S. Eliot with already has some understanding of its works. don't be fooled by the title, this book is not for students or a first-time reader who is searching for an introduction.

[Isa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shockingly bad academic writing, just pompous and vacuous.