Interpretation of Culture
J. Basic. Appl. Sci. Res., 1(12)2823-2825, 2011 © 2011, TextRoad Publication
ISSN 2090-4304 Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research www.textroad.com
T.S. Eliot’s Interpretation of Culture
Hamedreza Kohzadi , Fatemeh Azizmohammadi
1, 2 1 2 1 2
Department of English Literature, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
E-mails: hamedreza_ kohzadi_usa@yahoo.com, F-azizmohammadi@iau-arak.ac.ir
ABSTRACT It is an accepted fact that Eliot's concept of culture was for the most part derived from Ezra Pound's Guide to Kulchur. Butthe origins of the philosophical formulations of the term culture are traceable in his earlier work. The idea of a Christian Society (1939) which preceded the publication of his Notes towards the Definition of Culture (1948) by almost a decade. He maintains in the idea that liberalism would in course of time be replaced naturally by a positive Christian conception of society. In any society the larger number lead lives that are "spiritual" only in the sense they follow unconsciously the habits and forms of life enjoined upon the "religious" Christians. A life in which the behavior pattern is determined in the unquestioned acceptance of the "faith" is recommended; but even better would be the life in which the people feel or realize for themselves the inadequacy of their life as they lead it in practical contexts to the levels of idealism they are expected to reach as set forth by their religion. KEYWORDS: Eliot, Culture, Religion, Christianity, Theology. INTRODUCTION For Eliot, religion is Christianity. In other words, a life of conformity to Christian religious ideals is Eliot's precondition for culture. Eliot envisages a stratified society in which the upper layer of citizens who believe in traditional Christianity will activate and determine the behavior patterns of the lower classes; in the long run, dynamics of such a give and take will pave the way for culture and its ongrowth. Eliot's avowed aim in his Notes is
ISSN 2090-4304 Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research www.textroad.com
T.S. Eliot’s Interpretation of Culture
Hamedreza Kohzadi , Fatemeh Azizmohammadi
1, 2 1 2 1 2
Department of English Literature, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
E-mails: hamedreza_ kohzadi_usa@yahoo.com, F-azizmohammadi@iau-arak.ac.ir
ABSTRACT It is an accepted fact that Eliot's concept of culture was for the most part derived from Ezra Pound's Guide to Kulchur. Butthe origins of the philosophical formulations of the term culture are traceable in his earlier work. The idea of a Christian Society (1939) which preceded the publication of his Notes towards the Definition of Culture (1948) by almost a decade. He maintains in the idea that liberalism would in course of time be replaced naturally by a positive Christian conception of society. In any society the larger number lead lives that are "spiritual" only in the sense they follow unconsciously the habits and forms of life enjoined upon the "religious" Christians. A life in which the behavior pattern is determined in the unquestioned acceptance of the "faith" is recommended; but even better would be the life in which the people feel or realize for themselves the inadequacy of their life as they lead it in practical contexts to the levels of idealism they are expected to reach as set forth by their religion. KEYWORDS: Eliot, Culture, Religion, Christianity, Theology. INTRODUCTION For Eliot, religion is Christianity. In other words, a life of conformity to Christian religious ideals is Eliot's precondition for culture. Eliot envisages a stratified society in which the upper layer of citizens who believe in traditional Christianity will activate and determine the behavior patterns of the lower classes; in the long run, dynamics of such a give and take will pave the way for culture and its ongrowth. Eliot's avowed aim in his Notes is