International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)

E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: [email protected]

A Critical Study of the Myths, Classical

References and Allusions in the T. S. Eliots the
Waste Land
Dr. Umaji Ananda Patil

Assistant Professor and Head of Department of English, Smt. Gangabai Khivraj Ghodawat Kanya,
Mahavidyalaya, Jaysingpur, Shirol-Wadi Road, Tal. Shirol, Dist. Kolhapur - 416101

Abstract:
The present paper sought to analyze myths, allusions and classical references used by T. S. Eliot in his
magnus opus poem ‘The Waste Land’. A poem contains symbolic representation of myths, classical
references and allusions. The study concentrates on the poet’s attitude towards the contemporary society.
He justifies his uneasiness by giving the passing references from classical literatures. A study pinpoints
the cultural and social decadences depicted by the poet by presenting the major classical personas and
the symbolic events from the great classics. A poem depicts the spiritual deadness and barreness on the
glorious land of England. To express his views on the spiritual deadness of the land; he gives classical
references and allusions to depict the contemporary situation of the land. Every reference stand
symbolic. It presents the loss of spiritual aspects of the glorious land. He uses farfetched classical
references and biblical allusions to depict the contemporary perturbance. It is critical commentary on the
chaotic situation of the contemporary society. The classical references and allusions used here are very
apt and convincing. Eliot has brought it poignantly. The present study is confined with only critical
study of allusions, references and symbolic perspectives used by Eliot in his poem, ‘The Waste Land’.

Keywords: Allusions, Classical, References and Symbolism etc

Introduction:
T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land (1922) is an epoch-making poem in the history of modern English
poetry. It contains theme of weariness and disillusion of the contemporary society. It comments on the
adverse effects of the First World War. The poem encompasses decay of moral, sexual and spiritual
values of the contemporary society. The poem deeply contemplates on the upcoming values of the post-
modern society. This poem is dedicated to his close friend Ezra Pound and narrates his feelings about the
ruins of contemporary society. This poem is heart to heart talk with contemporary readers and he appeals
to recover from the decay of social and cultural values. He presents the universal issue of loss of cultural
values. The poem was published in The Criterion in 1922. The title of the poem is taken from Jessie
Weston’s book Ritual to Romance.
According to pioneer critic Jay Martin, “Eliot's The Waste Land influences all severance between
poetry and beliefs. It also focuses on the organization, application of myth and also on structural unity
and various opinions” (Martin, Jay, p-6). It discusses the decay of civilization by giving the classical
references. The poem deals with dark and gloomy picture of British culture. Compare to his earlier

IJFMR230611329 Volume 5, Issue 6, November-December 2023 1

 International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: [email protected]

poems, this poem creates a large perspective regarding the transformation in the cultural and social
values in the contemporary society.
The poem is an outcome of disillusionment of the post-war generation. It discusses the dilemma of
the modern mind. The poem blends the west and east philosophical and spiritual perspectives to
rejuvenate the loss and decay of culture. Many critics have pointed out that The Waste Land is a
ceaseless brook of literary allusions. The readers drench in the poetic rapture as they came across
allusions after allusions and references after references. Each section of the poem contain social
document which he has confined in the realm of his poetic touch. Though the poem is lengthy only due
to use of classical references, myths and symbolism. The poem has got immense popularity in the
modern and postmodern literature still. Eliot has taken the sources from biblical scriptures, Greek
mythology and philosophy from the east religion. The readers have to take efforts to understand his use
of myths and allusion because he has used various cultural and biblical references which are unfamiliar
to the readers. According to F. R. Leavis, “theme of the remoteness of civilization described in The
Waste Land from the natural rhythms is brought out in paradoxical manner to depict the fertility ritual
and decay of civilization” (Kenner, Hugh, p-90).

Research Methodology:
The present study is only confined with critical perspectives of the classical references and
allusions used in the T.S. Eliot's poem The Waste Land. It is considered as social manuscript on decay
of civilization.

The Objectives of the Study:

1. To study the sources of the myths, allusions and classical references which are used by the poet?
2. To study the poetic skill in concern with use of cultivation of the myths, allusions and classical
references.
3. To point out the symbolic meaning of the myths, allusions and classical references.
4. To focus on the poet's contemplation on decay of civilization.
5. To interpret the symbolic meaning of myths, allusions, and classical references.

Assumptions and Hypothesis:-

The study assumes the following aspects :
1. It seems that poem is endless treasure of myths, allusions and classical references.
2. The poem stands symbolic and is an expression of fertility ritual and disillusionment.
3. It seems that it is an amalgamation of east and west religious philosophy.

Methodology: -
Data is collected from primary and secondary sources. The study has given emphasize on critical
texts for the purpose of analysis and interpretation. The study is only confined to the study of poetic
devices.

A Theoretical Discussion on the Topic:-

The study is confined with myths, allusions and classical references in the poem The Waste
Land; so it is necessary to establish the conceptual meaning of these literary devices. These devices can

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 International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: [email protected]

be interpreted on the contextual as well as conceptual level. Myths can defined as the narratives which
contain culture's belief, history, taboos, and customs by representing the figures of Gods, heroes or
supernatural elements. It helps to expound various theoretical discussions. Myths always focus on the
creation of the world, cycle of the seasons and on the celestial bodies. A myth implies the cultural
values. Myths focus on the moral, social, and ethical values. Myths expound the universal themes and
human experiences.
Allusion is literary device in which we find passing references of another work of literature,
historical event or cultural element. It draws the attention of the readers to clear their doubts and enhance
the knowledge of them through the process of inter textuality or by passing references. The term is
derived from Latin word allure, means to recollect or to refer.
The term classical reference goes back to the earlier literature of the Greek and Latin. Whenever
the modern literature refers to the earlier literature from Greek classics to illustrate their opinions; it
becomes the part of classical references. It is just like the touchstone method given by Mathew Arnold
which pertains to the expression of quality literary works.
Symbolism is very significant device which expresses deeper meaning in art and literature. The
symbolic movement initiated by Arthur Symonds play dominant role in the modern English literature.
The term implies that one thing, object or action stands for something abstract or beyond its literal
meaning.
T.S. Eliot in his special note on The Waste Land acknowledges two outstanding works of Sir
James Frazer's The Golden Bough and Jessie Weston’s From Ritual to Romance. The Golden Bough
contains primitive life and profound interest in myth and ritual. Frazer goes back to the primordial roots
and expounds symbolic meanings of myths. Frazer describes the myths and rites associated with Greek
literary figures like Adonis, Attic and Osiris. The Waste Land deal with theme of barrenness which is
similarly compared with Jessie Weston's the waste land in From Ritual to Romance. Eliot's use of
abundance of myths and references bring poetic significance to the readers. The major themes of The
Waste Land are sexual perversion and sterility in the contemporary age. It discusses the decadence of the
European Civilization. It gives degradation of human nature.
The poet has drawn sources from Greek and Latin classics, philosophy, French, German and
English literature. Even he has taken references from Dante and from Indian philosophy. The poem
echoes multiple sources. The poet has derived sources from the French symbolist writers like Baudelaire
to Mallarme and Jules Laforgue. A large part of mystical elements have been derived from Jessie
Weston’s book Ritual to Romance and James Frazer's book From Ritual to Romance. The poet has
used the same myth of the Fisher King who had sexual impotence and questing knight saves the waste
land. It is known The Legend of Holy Grail.
The role of Tiresias as plays is very significant. He is considered as mouthpiece of the poet. He
bridges the link between various sections of the poem. Whatever Tiresias witnesses become the
substance of the poem. He has wide experience and is bi-sexual. He is detached. He merely witnesses
the events. He is blind. There are myths about Tiresias that one day he saw snakes coupling and struck
with them with his stick and he gets transformed into a woman, later the same thing took place and he
turned into a man.
According to T. S. Eliot, “Myth is simply a way of controlling, of ordering, of giving shape and
significance to the immense panorama of futility and anarchy which contains contemporary history and
make use of narrative method. It is to be used as mythical method” (Bradbrook, M.C.p-30). The myth is

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 International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: [email protected]

amalgamation of social, cultural values. The myth of the Fisher King referred from Jessie Weston’s
book contains anthropological theme. It deals with the legend of Holy Grail and depicts the significance
of quester scene in the poem. It narrates the efforts of Knight to save the sexual impotency of the land of
the king Fisher. The quester hopes to get drops of water on the barren land. The Grail has originally
connected with the myth of fertility.
The poem deals with five sections. The first section is known as The Burial of the Dead. The
protagonist of the poem Tiresias regrets on the spiritual sterility in contemporary age. Tiresias is mouth
piece of the poet who is blind and fishing on the bank of the river Thames. The first line of the poem
alludes contrasting to the Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Chaucer quotes April is the gayest month but for
Eliot April is the crullest month. Even the reference goes back to the season of Easter when Christ was
crucified. The poet has also taken allusion from James Thomson’s poem To “Our Ladies of Death”
by using diction such as “feeding” and a “little life”. In the lines 15-16 the poet uses the words like
Marie, Marie, hold on tight refers to the autobiography of Marie Larisch, Countess and relation of king
Ludwig. Hyacinths flowers in the first section stand as symbol of resurrection. The character of
“Madame Sosostris” refers to novel Crome Yellow (1921) by Aldous Huxley. She was fortune teller
but Eliot's madame Sosostris is fake fortune teller. The Lady of Rock Refers to The Renaissance by
Walter Pater in which he discusses about Mona Lisa. He also alludes the war of ‘Mylae’ which was
fought between Romans and the Carthagnians.
The second section of the poem is entitled as The Game of Chess which deals with the sterility
and hopelessness of life. The poet expresses his regret by alluding earlier references from literature. This
second section sets at drawing room of Belladona in London. He describes the hopeless luxurious life
of London. He takes references from ‘The Lady of the Rock’, ‘Dido’, ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Pope’s Belinda’,
Keats’ Lamia, the Great Whore of the Bible’.
“Jug still she cried, and still the world pursues
Jug Jug to dirty ears” (The Waste Land. p- 97-103).
The poet refers to Ovid's Metamorphoses in which Philomel, the younger sister of procne, wife
of King Tereus, was raped by him and her tongue cut off after barbarous rape. She was togueless lady
managed to weave her sad story in a web, which she sends to Procne. He kills his own son serves it to
Toreus. The king discovers it purues his wife who fled to Philomela. Gods changed all three in to birds,
Tereus became the hawk, his wife, the swallow and Philomela as the nightingale. Jug, Jug is the sound
of nightingale reproduced by Elizabethan poets as jug jug.
Eliot refers to Milton's Paradise Lost by Sylvana Scene. It signifies the scene before satan
when he first arrives at the borders of Eden. The third section of the poem contains ‘The Fire Sermon’
The poet takes allusion from Buddha’s preaching which is known as Fire Sermon. Lord Buddha
preaches that passion is the root cause of suffering and evil. Eliot frames this teaching in the context of
passion of sex. Even Eliot takes passing reference of St. Augustine's philosophy. Eliot is influenced by
St. Augustine’s analysis of human sufferings elucidated in his famous book Confessions. The poem is
best illustrations of Eastern and Western philosophy. He also takes reference to Edmund Spenser’s
Prothalamion.
Poet in the Quester Scene compares the questers with Ferdinand, the prince of Naples in
Shakespeare's The Tempest. He thinks that his father Alonso, has been drowned. The protagonist
Tiresias becomes the brother of the Fisher King. He laments on the impotency of the king and fishes for
his redemption from his torment.

IJFMR230611329 Volume 5, Issue 6, November-December 2023 4

 International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: [email protected]

“O the moon shines bright on Mrs. Porter

And on the daughter of Mrs. Porter.
And they both wash their feet in Soda-water
And so they doughtier
To keep them clean”. (The Waste Land Stanza, 199-201) .
It signifies the Christian ceremony of foot washing. It mocks the modern lover's banal idea of
glamour.
Fourth section of the poem is entitled as ‘Death By Water’ which deals with hope of salvation
from the fire of passion. It hopes for purgation of the body and soul. The poet takes allusion from the
book ‘Life and Death of Jason’ (1867) by William Morris. In Book IV the song of Orpheus to the
Argonauts discusses about a Phonenician sailor as victim of the sea. The poet frames this allusion for the
freedom from fire of passion. He uses passing references with apt and convincing manner.
In this context eminent critic “M. L. Rosenthal in his article, ‘The Waste Land as an Open
Structure’ discusses that Eliot has established common experience with larger motifs of the sequence”
(Wagner, Linda. p-44-45).
Section fifth of the poem is entitled as 'What the Thunder Said which deals with quest for
salvation and inner peace. He uses the critical principle of three objectives correlative viz; the journey to
Emmaus, the approach of the Chapel Perilous, the present decay of Eastern Europe. The poet takes
biblical reference for the salvation from the spiritual deadliness. The opening lines of the poem describe
the final scenes in the life of Christ from the betrayal and arrest of Christ till the moment of his death.
Torch light of the band of Judas signifies the symbol of terror and violence. The poet gives the classical
reference water dripping song of the hermit thrush stands quite symbolic. It signifies the hopes and
resurrection. The poet expresses the hopes and resurrection by alluding the philosophy from the books of
H.C. Warren's Buddhism in Translations and Hermann Hesse’s book ‘Blick ins Chaos’. Every reference
stands symbolic and give multiple level of interpretation to the readers. The poet has used farfetched
allusions, classical, references and myths to elucidate his views on the spiritually dead land. The poem is
very epoch making because of its structure and poignant expression on the contemporary social chaos.

Conclusions:
Eliot's use of myth, allusion and classical references gives concrete situation of spiritual deadness
of Europe. It discusses about the serious issue of materially haunted world. The poet frames these all
issues of contemporary Europe by giving the passing references and allusions. The poem has achieved
tremendous popularity because of its treasure of classical myths and allusions. The classical references
work as launching pad for the depiction of the issues related to the European society. Some lines work as
stepping stone to the poet’s thoughts.

References:
1. Bradbrook, M.C. T.S. Eliot: the making of ‘The Waste Land’. Longman Group Ltd. 1972.
2. Eliot. T. S. The Waste Land. Boni & Liveright . 1922.
3. Kenner, Hugh. T. S. Eliot A Collection of Critical Essays. Prentice Hall. 1962.
4. Linda, Wagner. T.S. Eliot: A Collection of Criticism. McGraw-Hill Book Company.1974.
5. Martin, Jay. A Collection of Critical Essays on the Waste Land. Prentice Hall. 1968.

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