Ezra Pound: His Metric and Poetry

T. S. Eliot

Aug 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

In "Ezra Pound: His Metric and Poetry," T. S. Eliot offers a profound exploration of Pound's innovative use of metrics and the intricacies of his poetic form. This critical work encapsulates the essence of modernist poetry, situating Pound within the broader literary landscape of the early 20th century. Eliot employs a meticulous analytical style, examining the rhythmic nuances and structural elements that underpin Pound's oeuvre, while simultaneously reflecting on the interplay between tradition and innovation in his work. The book serves as both a scholarly critique and an appreciation of Pound's attempts to redefine poetic language and its metrics, making it a cornerstone text in understanding modernist poetics. T. S. Eliot, a pivotal figure in modernist literature, draws on his extensive knowledge of poetic tradition and form to articulate the significance of Pound's contributions. The interplay between Eliot's own poetic style and Pound's experimental techniques provides a unique lens through which readers can appreciate the transformative nature of 20th-century poetry. Eliot's admiration for Pound is evident, as he seeks to illuminate the complex relationship between form, content, and cultural critique in poetry. This book is highly recommended for scholars and enthusiasts of modernist literature, as it not only enriches the understanding of Ezra Pound's artistic vision but also showcases Eliot's critical acumen. It invites readers to delve deeply into the metrics of poetry and encourages a broader contemplation of artistic innovation in a tumultuous historical context.

About the author

Thomas Stearns Eliot OM (1888–1965), better known as T. S. Eliot, was an eminent poet, essayist, playwright, and literary critic recognized as one of the giants of 20th-century literature. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he moved to England at age 25, eventually becoming a British subject in 1927. Eliot's early poetic works, such as 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' (1915) and 'The Waste Land' (1922), are lauded for their innovative use of form and technique, heralding the advent of modernist poetry. His scholarship also extended into literary criticism, with Eliot applying his incisive intellect to evaluating contemporaries and predecessors alike. His essay 'Ezra Pound: His Metric and Poetry' (1917) acknowledges the significant impact of Pound's metric innovation and poetics—an early testament to Eliot's engagement with the dynamic literary milieu of his time. Eliot's work was frequently characterized by a profound depth of cultural and philosophical knowledge, a trait which permeated his plays and later poems, such as 'Four Quartets' (1943). He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 for his lasting influence on the direction of modern literature, along with numerous other accolades. Eliot's literary style, marked by its dense allusions and complex symbolism, continues to be a subject of academic interest and a benchmark of literary excellence.