T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets

Allen Guy Wilcox takes a walking tour of the Utica Public Library as an opportunity to deep dive into one of the twentieth century's most deservedly lauded poems, Four Quartets, by Anglo-American poet, T.S. Eliot.
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[@semperpulchra]

Came here to learn a couple useful lines to use during a bookclub tomorrow, as i read it once, halfheartedly, and didnt think anything of it. Now, it will be difficult for me to express how deeply these poems have moved me. Thank you for an excellent analysis.

[@J-Called]

I have been reading Poetry for half a century, as of last month. I have been writing and publishing it since 1994. I have been reading and studying T. S. Eliot's Poetry since October, 1976. All those years have brought me to a position where I am not easily impressed. But, I can say with all truthfulness, your discussion of The Four Quartets is one of the most impressive I have ever heard. Not only for the beauty of your words, but also the way, and the tone in which, you deliver them. Back in the Autumn of 1978, the beginning of my Junior undergrad year, I was admitted to a ten week classroom study of Eliot---very intense, and by invitation only, and only offered once every three years. I wish that we, who had been admitted to that course, could have heard your discussion of, and summary of, the Four Quartets, Although I had already fallen in love with them, most of my classmates seemed to dislike them as difficult. Had a review of them, like yours, existed for us then, some of the issues we associated with the Quartets would have been addressed and then removed. The summer of 1978 was one of the worst of my life, and the prospect of taking the Eliot course was one of the few things that helped me hang on to my sanity at that time. But as much as I looked forward to taking the course, I did not find any commentator on the Quartets as inviting, informative, welcoming, and encouraging as yours today. In some ways, I have been waiting forty-five years to hear this video and, I assure you, it is well worth the wait.

[@timesarrowliterature]

I’m completely bowled over with gratitude. Thank you for this most kind and uplifting feedback. With best regards -Allen

[@thormusique]

This was brilliant, cheers!

[@timesarrowliterature]

@@thormusique so very kind!

[@snehvatsa]

I appreciate the effort, the dedication that you put in into this elucidative presentation. I, as a scholar and a sincere admirer of Eliot can assent with what it takes to enjoy, and more importantly, relish his poetry.

[@timesarrowliterature]

We truly appreciate your very kind words. Means a lot. Thank you!

[@joshbond2482]

Great commentary! I loved starting with the simplicity and consistency of the poem. When I first read the Four Quartets, I remember being overwhelmed by its density, and feeling like it was just indecipherable. But it rewards patience so much, and as you read and reread, that simplicity really comes into focus, and it's stunningly beautiful. And you find, as you said, that there isn't a misplaced word or wasted line in the whole work. Thanks for all the work that went into your video!

[@carlouchello1102]

It’s been years since I read it, but I highly recommend “Redeeming Time” by Kenneth Paul Kramer.

[@caonabohatuey4860]

“salvages” rhymes with “assuages”, not with “passages”. eliot himself pronounced it that way.

[@timesarrowliterature]

Great note - thank you!

[@craigstacey5811]

Excellent, thanks. But music is way too loud and distracting...ironic considering the nature of the poems

[@timesarrowliterature]

Noted! Thank you!

[@theculturedbumpkin]

This is outstanding

[@13eugubino459]

Great , but the background music is an unnecessary distraction ....

[@MiataBRG]

The background music is completely unnecessary and gets in the way of the presenter. Would a lecturer have a music radio on next to them while teaching? Pretentious dialogue. I'm out.

[@timesarrowliterature]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@rodbodnod]

Surprised that a scholar repeatedly mispronouncing DRY SAVAGES

[@brandonleroux6059]

T.S. Eliot is boring

[@timesarrowliterature]

Some of life’s deepest pleasures are acquired tastes.

[@vhawk1951kl]

Only to boring imbeciles

[@mybabenuts]

Thank yo so much. And what about the Choruses from ‘the Rock’?

[@timesarrowliterature]

Love taking requests! Stay tuned! Thank you!