The Works of T.S. Eliot 14: The Waste Land Part III

A discussion of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land Part III from the online course Classics of American Literature: T.S. Eliot, taught by Duke University English Professor Victor Strandberg.

[@charliewest1221]

Through years and years of plodding and excavating wearily through the "Wasteland", I encountered mazes upon mazes of confusion until I chanced to meet this brilliant teacher who opened new doors unto me like no other had come near to doing. A long line of others, "experts, specialists" and the like failed. I salute this true pedagogue. I build him a monument.

[@charliewest1221]

I'm a retired teacher and academic with a Ph.D (the novels of Dickens). Insurmountable Eliot has always eluded me. Now in retirement at 66 years, thanks to Professor Strandberg, I am beginning to see the Eliotic light. People say I'm mad, pursuing an incomprehensible, rambling, poet. I reply, "He giveth me a new lease of life". From the Wasteland to the Four Quarters I will go ... one is the progenitor of the other. Both are organic, both give life.

[@rmleighton1]

I, now 67 years old have stumbled upon your lecture. You have opened up a new world to me. Awakening me from my slumbler.

[@mohamedelsayeed397]

Magnificent! Really impressed 👏 You're doing a Really great job considering the he'll of splintered cryptic text THE WASTE LAND is!!!!!!! May God bless you 🙏 ❤

[@charliewest1221]

I endorse your sentiments with heart and soul. Have not come across another to emulate Guru Strandberg.

[@TheEA668]

Thank you ever so much !

[@rigutongmong40]

Most erudite and eloquent lectures I have ever heard. Thank you so much. It is indeed a pleasure and honor to listen to these lectures.

[@BEBOPJAZZ48]

I could listen to this man all day long. I start these and don't want to stop...one to the next.

[@charliewest1221]

We are kindred folk.

[@happylindsay4475]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge Professor. I greatly appreciate these.

[@tricorntom2254]

"By the waters of Leman, I sat down and wept." There is another meaning here. The Austrian Empress Elizabeth was murdered by the shores of Lac Leman, by a Swiss anarchist. This follows up earlier references to the tragic Austrian royal family in the poem's opening "Marie, Marie, hold on tight, and down we went." A series of tragedies in the Austrian royal house eventually led to the Great War, which turned Europe into a spiritual and physical "Wasteland" in four year's time.

[@charliewest1221]

Thank you. Ever willing to embrace alternative shades of meaning.

[@samuelwhitehill]

The classical elements air earth water and fire make more sense to the contemporary mind if we see these as states of matter: gas, solid, liquid and the transfer of matter (fire), fire resulting in pure carbon, water and carbon monoxide

[@rmleighton1]

Brilliant.

[@jmichaelortiz]

Augustine was bishop of Hippo, not Carthage.

[@jmichaelortiz]

Augustine's son was born before the saint's conversion.

[@wryan5immons]

"Sexual conjunction"... from now on, I will only use this term for sex. If I can ever stop giggling.

[@tomaszbethell]

Feel like my version differs at points? No wrinkles female breasts or dugs?