Ways of Knowing - The Wasteland
Language
The words link to symbols and ideas in our heads. Most of the words used in the poem are in English with some German phrases used throughout. When the language is one we understand we try to follow what the meaning of the words and phrases are. What do we do with the parts which are in a language we don't understand?
Imagination
Eliot writes using fragmented images and voices. We have to try and imagine the different people speaking or a single person speaking in different voices. We use imagination as a way of knowing what the words are saying.
Reason
As we read the poem we try to make sense of it. We apply reason - it must make sense to be such a famous poem. What is the point in reading it if we cannot 'know' what it is about? We pull the ideas together to try and come up with a coherent meaning and purpose.
The words link to symbols and ideas in our heads. Most of the words used in the poem are in English with some German phrases used throughout. When the language is one we understand we try to follow what the meaning of the words and phrases are. What do we do with the parts which are in a language we don't understand?
Imagination
Eliot writes using fragmented images and voices. We have to try and imagine the different people speaking or a single person speaking in different voices. We use imagination as a way of knowing what the words are saying.
Reason
As we read the poem we try to make sense of it. We apply reason - it must make sense to be such a famous poem. What is the point in reading it if we cannot 'know' what it is about? We pull the ideas together to try and come up with a coherent meaning and purpose.