Cassandra: Your line of inquiry is fascinating, especially in light of TSE's expressed disdain for Swinburne (and Shelley and Browning). I think TSE's debt to the Romantics and Victorians is deeper than he was ever willing to acknowledge. Interesting too that Pound's review of Prufrock volume cites Browning as an influence (or precursor?). It wasn't until 1936 that TSE allowed as how Tennyson had his merits.

Has anyone noticed that "The Love Song of J. Alfred" begins with Browningseque abruptness that recalls RB's "Andrea del Sarto": "But do not let us quarrel any more..."; cf. : "Let us go then, you and I...."  -- Jim

        -----Original Message-----
        From: Cassandra Laity [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
        Sent: Mon 15-Sep-03 6:53 PM
        To: [log in to unmask]
        Cc:
        Subject: query: Eliot and the sea



        Can anyone direct me to some good articles on the meaning of the sea in Eliot? I am researching for an article on swinburne and Eliot that focuses on complexes of wind/sea often with images of snow, frost, flowers--all classic swinburnian images.
        Cassandra


        Professor Cassandra Laity
        Co-Editor, _Modernism/Modernity_
        English Department
        Drew University
        Madison, NJ 07940
        Phone: 973-408-3141
        Fax: 973-408-3040