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A matter of opinion

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T.S. Eliot has been famous for numerous contributions to literature. For example, his seminal poem The Wasteland has captivated audiences as Eliot examines the human condition as society constantly changes. Additionally, Eliot’s work suggests that literature changes as people change. Therefore, the transition between Romanticism to modernism suggests that some people are unable to comprehend the true beauty of literature. 

Ultimately, Eliot criticizes romantic and emotional responses to writing because of the belief that people can only grasp its sublime quality if they remove their own personal bias as they interpret work that could be considered art.

Eliot suggests that when it comes to the understanding of a great work of literature, simply appreciating a text is not enough. In fact, Eliot essentially criticizes passive admirers of art and literature because they merely read such work for the sake of pleasure. However, reading involves much more than simply liking a piece of writing. Instead, Eliot argues that there needs to be a strong emotional connection between a reader and a piece of writing because it is only then that a reader can truly understand what the author originally intended as he or she wrote that original piece of writing itself.

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Eliot also adds additional criticism to readers who focus on the writing mechanics within a written piece. Specifically, Eliot suggests that not that many people understand the complexities involved with the English language. Furthermore, Eliot believes that there is a systematic appreciation for writing that is superficial compared to understanding the aesthetic quality of writing. Some people can understand the general idea of a written work because it might meet the acceptable standards of grammar and punctuation. In contrast, Eliot implies that writing involves much more than simply conforming to what is acceptable. Instead, it has to somehow resonate with readers and be timeless as well.

In order for writing to have a sense of longevity, it needs to express emotion in an innovative way. In fact, Eliot suggests that many readers are ignorant when it comes to their own personal understanding of what truly is artistic writing. There is also the belief that the writing needs to somehow transcend the conventional in order for it to be influential. Ultimately, a work can only hold great significance if it resonates with people across generations even as time itself attempts to devour its beauty.

Because of the destructive power of the passage of time, Eliot critiques writers who produce work that would not stand the test of time, and also readers who indulge in mediocre writing. In order to express that idea, Eliot emphasizes the importance of emotions, which suggests that readers need to experience an emotional connection to a piece of writing if they are able to enjoy and understand a piece of writing. This fact holds great significance because writing involves much more than simply the person who wrote the piece. The piece of writing is ultimately a tangible form of communication that can only be expressed through

The piece of writing is ultimately a tangible form of communication that can only be expressed through paper and has to resonate with readers as time passes incessantly. In the end, the writing becomes an artifact that captures the essence of the time that is written. Finally, writers would die because they are mortal, but their written work can stand the test of time as its ideas possess a sense of immortality as people change.

Reading and writing are two different actions that have one common core function—to convey ideas. Written material can be forgotten over time, but whatever can be preserved serves as a way to provide insight into the era in which such material was written. Writing itself is a skill that takes time to develop because there is truly a difference between acceptable writing and influential writing. Furthermore, T.S. Eliot urges readers to do more than read for pleasure. Instead, readers can do more than enjoy a piece of writing if they understand what the author wants to convey. Thus, people can be ignorant if they choose to be, but the few people who do know how to read closely can experience emotional catharses if they decide to engage with written work actively and by being impersonal as they respond to the magnificence of art.

 

Alex Phuong

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