'Preludes' by T.S. Eliot


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I

The winter evening settles down
With smell of steaks in passageways.
Six o'clock.
The burnt-out ends of smoky days.
And now a gusty shower wraps
The grimy scraps
Of withered leaves about your feet
And newspapers from vacant lots;
The showers beat
On broken blinds and chimney-pots,
And at the corner of the street
A lonely cab-horse steams and stamps.

And then the lighting of the lamps.


II

The morning comes to consciousness
Of faint stale smells of beer
From the sawdust-trampled street
With all its muddy feet that press
To early coffee-stands.

With the other masquerades
That time resumes,
One thinks of all the hands
That are raising dingy shades
In a thousand furnished rooms.


III

You tossed a blanket from the bed,
You lay upon your back, and waited;
You dozed, and watched the night revealing
The thousand sordid images
Of which your soul was constituted;
They flickered against the ceiling.
And when all the world came back
And the light crept up between the shutters,
And you heard the sparrows in the gutters,
You had such a vision of the street
As the street hardly understands;
Sitting along the bed's edge, where
You curled the papers from your hair,
Or clasped the yellow soles of feet
In the palms of both soiled hands.


IV

His soul stretched tight across the skies
That fade behind a city block,
Or trampled by insistent feet
At four and five and six o'clock;
And short square fingers stuffing pipes,
And evening newspapers, and eyes
Assured of certain certainties,
The conscience of a blackened street
Impatient to assume the world.

I am moved by fancies that are curled
Around these images, and cling:
The notion of some infinitely gentle
Infinitely suffering thing.

Wipe your hand across your mouth, and laugh;
The worlds revolve like ancient women
Gathering fuel in vacant lots.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Exploration of T.S. Eliot's "Preludes"

Introduction

In the sea of literary works that have been written and published throughout the years, T.S. Eliot's "Preludes" remains a timeless masterpiece. This poem, consisting of four distinct parts, captures the essence of city life in the early 20th century. Eliot's use of vivid imagery and unconventional language paints a picture of the mundane and soul-crushing existence that many people endured during this time period. As we dive deeper into "Preludes," we will explore the themes, symbolism, and overall impact of this poem.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in "Preludes" is the idea of isolation and alienation. Eliot portrays the characters in his poem as being trapped in a monotonous routine, going about their lives as if they were robots. The line "The morning comes to consciousness / Of faint stale smells of beer / From the sawdust-trampled street" (lines 1-3) sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "consciousness" implies that the characters are just waking up and becoming aware of their surroundings. However, what they become aware of is the "faint stale smells of beer" and the "sawdust-trampled street," which are hardly pleasant things to wake up to. In fact, they are quite depressing and only serve to reinforce the idea that the characters are living in a dreary world.

Another theme that Eliot explores in "Preludes" is the idea of decay. The city is portrayed as a decaying, dying place, where even the smallest of things are in a state of disrepair. For example, in the second part of the poem, Eliot describes "The burnt-out ends of smoky days" (line 12). This line suggests that even the days themselves have become burnt out and smoky, as if there is no life left in them. The use of the word "burnt-out" is particularly effective, as it implies that something that was once full of life has now been drained of all vitality.

Symbolism

Eliot's use of symbolism in "Preludes" is also worth exploring. In the first part of the poem, the "lonely cab-horse" (line 4) is symbolic of the characters themselves. The horse is alone, just as the characters are alone in their dreary lives. The fact that the horse is a cab-horse also suggests that it is moving, but not of its own free will. It is being controlled by someone else, just as the characters are being controlled by their monotonous routine.

Another symbol that Eliot uses in "Preludes" is the "smell of steaks in passageways" (line 6). This smell is symbolic of the idea that even in the midst of decay and isolation, there is still a glimmer of hope. The smell of steaks is a reminder that there is still life and vitality in the world, even if it is only a faint smell.

Impact

The impact of "Preludes" on the world of poetry cannot be overstated. Eliot's unconventional use of language and imagery was groundbreaking at the time, and it continues to inspire poets to this day. The way in which Eliot captured the essence of city life in the early 20th century was truly revolutionary, and it paved the way for other poets to explore similar themes in their own work.

Furthermore, "Preludes" serves as a reminder that even in the midst of decay and isolation, there is still beauty to be found. Eliot's use of vivid imagery reminds us that even in the most mundane of settings, there is still something worth exploring and discovering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, T.S. Eliot's "Preludes" is a masterful piece of poetry that explores themes of isolation, alienation, decay, and hope. Eliot's use of vivid imagery and unconventional language serve to paint a picture of a world that is both dreary and beautiful. The impact of "Preludes" on the world of poetry cannot be overstated, and it serves as a reminder that even in the most mundane of settings, there is still beauty to be found.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Preludes: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry

T.S. Eliot, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his groundbreaking works that revolutionized the world of poetry. His poem Preludes, published in 1917, is a prime example of his mastery of modernist poetry. In this essay, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

The poem Preludes is a series of four short poems that describe the urban landscape of a city at different times of the day. Each poem is a snapshot of a particular moment in time, capturing the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter, and is characterized by its fragmented structure and disjointed imagery.

The first poem begins with the line "The winter evening settles down" and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes the city as "a patient etherized upon a table," suggesting a sense of paralysis and stagnation. The streets are empty, and the only sound is the "rattle of the bones" of a horse-drawn carriage. The imagery is bleak and desolate, creating a sense of isolation and despair.

The second poem, which begins with the line "The morning comes to consciousness," presents a different perspective on the city. The speaker describes the city as "a dull, twisted, and uneventful world," where people go about their daily routines without any sense of purpose or meaning. The imagery is vivid and sensory, with the smell of "fried fish" and the sound of "feet shuffling on the pavement." The poem ends with the line "I am moved by fancies that are curled," suggesting a sense of longing and nostalgia for a simpler time.

The third poem, which begins with the line "The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected," presents a more optimistic view of the city. The speaker describes the city as "a street that follows like a tedious argument," suggesting a sense of order and structure. The imagery is more colorful and vibrant, with the "smell of steaks in passageways" and the "sudden burst of laughter." The poem ends with the line "I am moved by fancies that are curled," echoing the sentiment of the second poem.

The fourth and final poem, which begins with the line "The winter evening settles down," brings the poem full circle. The speaker describes the city as "a broken spring in a factory yard," suggesting a sense of decay and decline. The imagery is once again bleak and desolate, with the "smell of burning leaves" and the "lonely whistle of a train." The poem ends with the line "With the other masquerades," suggesting that the city is just one of many masks that people wear to hide their true selves.

The structure of the poem is fragmented and disjointed, with each poem consisting of several short stanzas. The lack of rhyme and meter creates a sense of chaos and disorder, mirroring the urban landscape that the poem describes. The use of repetition, particularly the repetition of the line "I am moved by fancies that are curled," creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem.

The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and sensory details. The use of metaphor and simile, such as "a patient etherized upon a table" and "a broken spring in a factory yard," creates a sense of depth and complexity. The use of alliteration and assonance, such as "feet shuffling on the pavement" and "smell of steaks in passageways," creates a sense of rhythm and musicality.

The themes of the poem are complex and multifaceted. One of the central themes is the alienation and isolation of modern urban life. The city is portrayed as a place where people are disconnected from each other and from themselves, where they go about their daily routines without any sense of purpose or meaning. Another theme is the cyclical nature of time, with the poem beginning and ending with the same line. The repetition of the line "I am moved by fancies that are curled" suggests a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time.

In conclusion, Preludes is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of urban life in the early 20th century. The fragmented structure, vivid imagery, and rich language create a sense of chaos and complexity that mirrors the urban landscape that the poem describes. The themes of alienation, isolation, and the cyclical nature of time are timeless and universal, making this poem as relevant today as it was when it was first published over a century ago.

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