"The Waste land" Thinking activity

Classroom activity

This blog is a part of my classroom activity.

Here is the link of classroom activity:

http://dilipbarad.blogspot.com/2014/10/presentations-on-ts-eliots-waste-land.html

My answer to the three questions about contradiction of Eliot with Nietzsche and Freud and the use of Indian thoughts in "The Waste Land".

1) What are your views on the following image after reading "The waste land"? Do you think that Eliot is regressive as compared to Nietzsche's views? or has Eliot achieved universality of thought by recalling mytho-historical answer to the contemporary malaise?

Here we can see the conflict of different views between Eliot and Nietzsche. Eliot believe in supernatural power whereas Nietzsche like an atheist, but both are right in their own way. Through the mythical views like Upnishada ,logic, supernatural power and various cultures, Eliot wants to evoke the people that past is very good lesson to make  better future, people can learn through past and from supernatural things.

While Nietzsche believe in human power as 'superman', he is not believe in supernatural things and tradition, for him The God is dead and he says that man can survive and make better future himself.

So we cannot say that Eliot is regressive as compared to Nietzsche's  views because Eliot is using the past reference to answer contemporary malaise. Because myth and religion changed and influence in the way of thinking of the people, because religions are about the betterment of people it is path giver, you should blame people not religion. Every religion teach and developed the humanity in the people. There is one example in the Quran about Firon(Pharaoh)Egyptian King who believe himself as God and killed innocent people then God mentioned his hubris and gives lesson to upcoming generation to developed humanity instead of hatredness so we can say that religion cultivate morality. Every Holi book says that don't attache too much with material thing(life) all have to taste flavour of death, so be a spiritual soul. Nietzsche believe in "Ubermensch" who gave solution to the problem for contemporary crisis. For instance, we can take an example of Hitler, he also want to give solution to contemporary crisis but it bring chaos in the society. So, I personally do not support the views of Nietzsche. 

According to me, the views of Eliot can be considered as more realistic than Nietzsche, Nietzsche finds the solution of present in future while Eliot is finding the solution of present and future in past because past is like a mirror as well as lesson for people that is why Eliot make his views universally

 and realistic.

2) What are your views regarding these comments Is it true that giving free vent to the repressed 'primitive instinct' lead us to happy and satisfied life? or do you agree with Eliot's view that 'salvation of man lies in the preservation of the cultural tradition'?' 

Yes, it is truth that giving free vent to the repressed primitive instinct' can lead us to happy and satisfied life, but individually, things and happiness which is satisfying us can harm others and which give pleasure to others can harm us. But as per Eliot views if all follow such culture, tradition and belief in such lifestyle and moralities, a network of understanding can be created human live peacefully.

3) Write about allusion to the Indian thought in "The waste land"(where, how and why are the Indian thought referred?)

"In the Waste land" Eliot has presented various cultures and languages to connect the world with one universal thought. In the first four part Eliot described that how sexual perversion has overpower than spirituality of human and solution of spiritual degradation by referring the Indian culture and Upnishada. 

The allusion to the Indian thought Eliot mentioned in the last part of the poem:

"Ganga was sunken, and the limps leaves

waited for rain, while the black clouds

gathered far distant, over Himvant

The jungle crouched, humped in silence."\

Then Eliot gives three 'Da'

1)Datta- to give not only charity but giving oneself for some noble cause.

2) Dayadhvam- Sympathies yourself with the sorrows and suffering of others, come out of your isolation and love into others.

3)Damyata- Self control, control over one's passion and desire.

As per my view, every religion have good thoughts and ideas but Upnishadas idea of peace does not mean just a state of No-war neither it is limited just to men or countries and communities. But it embraces the whole nature and the whole creation. LetsL see the original Shantih mantra and its translation so we can get idea about why Eliot found it suitable.                   

So, here we can say that Indian thoughts about peace in every universal things. We should not like vulture, keep others away from having what we actually don't need but be a giver, sympathies with other. Gandhiji also said: ''There is enough on this earth for everybody's need, but not sufficient for one's greed. We should not belivbb in materials and contemporary things that one day will destroy. In this way I think T.S Eliot might found Upnishada's thoughts of ,"Datta", "Damyata", "Dayadhvam", and "Shantih" suitable for universal peace.