T.S. Eliot – The Chief Tool of a Critic

## *T.S. Eliot – The Chief Tool of a Critic*

Table of Content 

*1. Introduction to T.S. Eliot as a Literary Critic*

1.1 The Making of a Critical Mind

1.2 Eliot’s Place in Modern Literary Criticism

*2. T.S. Eliot: Life, Thought, and Intellectual Background*

2.1 Early Life and Education

2.2 Philosophical and Cultural Influences

2.3 The Evolution of His Critical Voice

*3. Understanding “The Chief Tool of a Critic”*

3.1 Meaning and Scope of the Concept

3.2 Critical Objectivity and Discipline

3.3 The Role of Tradition and Individual Talent

*4. Eliot’s Theory of Impersonality*

4.1 Poetry as an Escape from Personality

4.2 The Function of Emotion in Art

4.3 Art versus Self-Expression

*5. Tradition and the Historical Sense*

5.1 Concept of Tradition in Literature

5.2 The Living Past and the Present

5.3 The Dynamic Nature of Literary Canon

*6. Eliot’s Concept of the Objective Correlative*

6.1 Definition and Origin

6.2 Application in Poetry and Drama

6.3 Critical Limitations and Debates

*7. Eliot’s Views on Poetry and Drama*

7.1 The Function of Poetry

7.2 Eliot’s Dramatic Theory

7.3 Language, Rhythm, and Structure

*8. Eliot as a Practical Critic*

8.1 Critical Essays and Reviews

8.2 Methods of Textual Analysis

8.3 Standards of Judgment

*9. Eliot’s Influence on Modern Criticism*

9.1 Impact on New Criticism

9.2 Influence on Structuralism and Beyond

9.3 Eliot and Contemporary Critical Schools

*10. Eliot’s Critical Works: A Detailed Study*

10.1 “Tradition and the Individual Talent”

10.2 “Hamlet and His Problems”

10.3 “The Function of Criticism”

*11. Tools of a Critic According to Eliot*

11.1 Historical Sense

11.2 Analytical Objectivity

11.3 Moral and Aesthetic Judgment

11.4 Linguistic Precision

*12. Comparison with Other Literary Critics*

12.1 Eliot and Matthew Arnold

12.2 Eliot and I.A. Richards

12.3 Eliot and F.R. Leavis

*13. Criticism of Eliot’s Critical Theories*

13.1 Charges of Elitism

13.2 Debates on Tradition and Canon

13.3 Modern Re-evaluations

*14. Eliot’s Legacy in Literary Criticism*

14.1 Enduring Relevance

14.2 Eliot in Academic Curricula

14.3 The Future of Eliot’s Critical Thought

*15. Conclusion: T.S. Eliot and the Art of Criticism*

*16. Glossary of Key Critical Terms*

*17. Notes*

*18. Bibliography*

**19. Question Bank

According to T.S. Eliot, the chief tools of a critic are ¹:

- *Comparison*: Eliot argues that comparison is a vital tool for critics as it allows them to analyze and evaluate literary works.

- *Analysis*: Eliot believes that analysis is essential for critics to understand and interpret literary texts.

- *Facts*: Eliot emphasizes the importance of facts in critical writing, suggesting that critics should focus on the text itself rather than their personal opinions or emotions.

- *Objectivity*: Eliot advocates for objectivity in critical writing, encouraging critics to approach texts with detachment and impartiality.

- *Respect for tradition*: Eliot believes that critics should respect literary traditions and the cultural context in which texts were written.

- *Technical expertise*: Eliot suggests that critics should have a deep understanding of literary techniques and forms to appreciate the craftsmanship of literary works.