T.S Eliot

From His Life to the Page T. S. Eliot's work was greatly influenced by his life. There was a basic pattern in his works that corresponded with the events in his life. This pattern brought about many changes and phases in his poetry. Even Eliot's attitude was reflected in his work. A quote from T. S. Eliot: The Man and His Work states, " Eliot was a man with the highest standards in his poetry, his critisism, and his behavior to others." ( Spender 34). Perhaps much of this can be attributed to his birth toward the end of the Victorian Era. Eliot's background also had a major effect on his writing style. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 26, 1888. Though Eliot was born in America, he spent much of his life in England. Although he credited his writing to both countries, he felt that he had more in common with the American side of his heritage. Once Eliot even stated, "I'd say that my poetry has obviously more in common with my distinguished contemporaries in America, than with anything written in my generation in England. That I am sure of." (Eliot 597). Eliot went to collage at Harvard University. This is where he began his major writing. Many of his most famous works were written while he was at college, such as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock . The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock was probably Eliot's most famous poem. This poem revolved around Prufrock and his infatuation with a woman. The similarities of Prufrock to Eliot are uncanny. Prufrock's love for this woman was somewhat like Eliot's. Prufrock was included in a set of poems called Prufrock and Other Observations. They all basically centered around the same characters and the same town. All of the characters are sophisticated individuals. They all have much in common with Eliot. Even Eliot's poetry had elements of his personality. T. S. Eliot's work, according to T. S. Pierce, centered around four periods. Each event in his life triggered a period change. Events such as his father's death,

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