Question

Using a dictionary and the methods outlined in section 1 of the preceding lesson, read the following passage taken from T.S. Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent" and fill out the worksheet:
In a peculiar sense he will be aware also that [the poet] must inevitably be judged by the standards of the past. I say judged, not amputated, by them; not judged to be as good as, or worse or better than, the dead; and certainly not judged by the canons of dead critics. It is a judgment, a comparison, in which two things are measured by each other. To conform merely would be for the new work not really to conform at all; it would not be new, and would therefore not be a work of art. And we do not quite say that the new is more valuable because it fits in; but its fitting in is a test of its value–a test, it is true, which can only be slowly and cautiously applied, for we are none of us infallible judges of conformity. We say: it appears to conform, and is perhaps individual, or it appears individual, and may conform; but we are hardly likely to find that it is one and not the other.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

Using a dictionary, context clues, or a priori knowledge, define the following terms (in the sense that Eliot is using them):
peculiar
inevitably
canon
infallible
conform

According to Eliot, is a work of art that conforms completely really a work of art? Type the sentence in which this information is found.

According to Eliot, should contemporary works of art be judged as “better” or “worse” than past ones? Type the sentence in which this information is found.

Using a dictionary and the methods described at the beginning of the “Advanced Reading Skills” lesson, provide a “translation” of Eliot’s paragraph.

Answer 1

Answer:

Check below for the explanation

Explanation:

a) The main idea of the passage is that though works of arts should be judged by the standards of the past, their uniqueness is not determined by their conformity or newness, it is determined by their value.

b) Define the following terms in the sense that Elliot used them

i) Peculiar: Unusual

ii) Inevitably: necessarily, unavoidably

iii)Canon: Principles, rules, laws

iv)Infallible: flawless

v) Conform: agree with, match, follow

c) A work of art that conforms completely is not really a work of art because it is not unique and new.

This information is found in the sentence, "To conform merely would be for the new work not really to conform at all; it would not be new, and would therefore not be a work of art."

d) No, contemporary works of art should not be judged as better or worse than past ones, a work is only judged by its values.

This information is found in the sentence, "And we do not quite say that the new is more valuable because it fits in; but its fitting in is a test of its value"  

e) Eliot was explaining that contemporary works are compared with previous works based on standard(value) and not mere conformity. New works are expected to improve on past works with some element of modernity

Answer 2

1. The main idea of this paragraph brings one of Eliot's most defended theories of the role of tradition in helping the new writers to be modern. It is also a paradoxe, the need to often look to the past in order to move forward in a more pointedly way than the past poets did. Eliot's concept of tradition emphasizes the huge importance the older writers have to the contemporaries. Basically, that the knowledge about the past makes the contemporary writers part of both traditional and contemporary scene.

2.  

peculiar: particular, singular, individual  

inevitably: naturally, necessarily,  unavoidably, like it or not

canon: criterion, standard, rule

infallible: absolute, unfailing, certain

conform: comply with, follow, adapt, fit, adjust, match

3. "And we do not quite say that the new is more valuable because it fits in; but its fitting in is a test of its value–a test, it is true, which can only be slowly and cautiously applied, for we are none of us infallible judges of conformity. We say: it appears to conform, and is perhaps individual, or it appears individual, and may conform; but we are hardly likely to find that it is one and not the other." According to Eliot, neither a work of art nor the judgement of the individuals assures the conformity of a work of art or its fitting in since none of them can be absolute or totally certain about it, although it may appears to conform individually or not. Even so its fitting in shows its value compared to the other works with the same standards applied.

4. "I say judged, not amputated, by them; not judged to be as good as, or worse or better than, the dead; and certainly not judged by the canons of dead critics. It is a judgment, a comparison, in which two things are measured by each other.". According to Eliot, the contemporary works of art must be judged, meaning compared, by the standards of the past ones, not in a criticizing way, but measuring one to the other to see where the new fits in, what doesn't mean any to be better or worse than the other.

5.  Eliot's most defended theory is the role of tradition in helping the new writers to be modern. He sais that every artist must be prepared and understand that their work of art will certainly be judged and compared by the standards of the past ones, not in a criticizing way to see which one is better or worse, but measuring it to the others to see where it fits whether it is not considered new or even a work of art itself. It is not a measure to see if it values more or less than other work of art, even thought its fitting proves its value in a cautiously and slowly way applying judgment. It must be considered, though, that none of them can be certain and absolute in its judgment of conformity, as everyone has their own point of view.