Somewhere else Eliot said that he generally practised verse three hours a
day to be in good shape for when the real stuff came along. He didn't save
his practice work,
it would seem.

It is instructive to examine how any artist works, develops his techniques,
evolves &c.
More instructive, for me, than simply looking at the biographical
relevances.

It is rather snobbish to put down people for finding the works of artists as
inspiring.
When a really latrge number of people become attracted to the same artist,
then there is definielty material there to help understand relevant
dimensions
of that aspect of culture.

Marcia made a comment about Eliot living a poet's life. He seems to
have been very fastidious in his discipline, as indeed, some artists are.
On the other hand, one of his favourite cults of artists of which he was
a distinct fan, were the French symbolists, very few of whom seem to
have been disciplined at all. The contrasts are very instructive.

Cheers,
Peter
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carrol Cox" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 9:38 AM
Subject: Re: Stream of Consciousness


> > Marcia Karp wrote:
> >
> > This isn't to me an interesting study -- it verges on denying Eliot's
> > humanity.  He was a poet, not a specimen, and it is to be expected
> > that he lived his life as a poet.  I don't see what you'd study in
> > order to find the "many ways poetry came to Eliot."  What would be
> > your criteria for data?  What could you learn?  Help me please, CR,
> > understand what you mean.
>
> Yes. Asking "what went into preparation" treats writing as though it
> were the Boston Marathon. I'm a bit curious myself as to why Eliot
> should be the focus of a cult.  Why him rather than X, Y, or Z. The cult
> resembles in a very general way the "Janeites," but not really, since
> they merely love Austen and don't get angry or upset when others don't
> use the novels as an oracle. It should provide a monograph in cultural
> history for someone.
>
> Carrol
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.14.12/544 - Release Date:
11/21/2006 4:59 PM
>
>