## *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.
