The Absence of Fertility in T.S. Eliot's "The Wasteland"

        Written in the 1920s, this T.S. Eliot poem describes the modern world as a wasteland in the aftermath of World state of war I. Literally, The Wasteland refers to the battlefields of France, where French and British troops fought the Germans, and have been modify into muddy graves. Figuratively, Eliot captures the emotional and spiritual despair that had been evident in Europe but became augmented by the deaths associated with WWI. For many, it was difficult to call back that a benevolent God would condone such a mass slaughter and thus, an increasing number of Europeans began to lose reliance in Christianity. In addition to this spiritual crisis, the lifestyles and relationships of many Europeans became infiltrated with decadence, nonsensicality and alienation. In the epigraph of The Wasteland, Eliot displays his pessimism towards modern nicety by referencing Sibyl, a mythological woman blessed with eternal life but give tongue to with old age. Eliot, himself, is forced to live in a culture that has decayed yet will not perish, while forever being reminded of humanitys former glories. Eliot often alludes to the myth of the pekan King, who has continue an injury to his testicles. This wound renders him infertile and causes his kingdom to become a wasteland, similar to the modern world. In order to regenerate the land, the Fisher King must be cured.



However, Eliot believes that the Fisher King and by extension, modern family, cannot be healed. In The Wasteland, Eliot expresses his displeasure with modern society and his belief that humanity could become unsalvageable, if certain lifestyle changes be not adopted, through the use of traditional symbols of fertility and regeneration.         

        Images of fertility, spiritual rebirth and regeneration are often optimistic and offer bank through new life or the renewal of a decaying life form. However, Eliot often uses contrasts these symbols...

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