The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here is the link to the professor's research article for background reading: Click here.

Here is the link to the blog: Click here.

The Great Gatsby

Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby
Author	F. Scott Fitzgerald
Cover artist	Francis Cugat
Language	English
Genre	Tragedy
Published	April 10, 1925
Publisher	Charles Scribner's Sons
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (hardcover & paperback)
Preceded by	The Beautiful and Damned (1922)
Followed by	Tender Is the Night (1934)
Text	The Great Gatsby at Wikisource

Question : Read the article on the Book cover art and its connection to the novel's themes - and write your understanding of the symbolic significance of the book cover.

The Symbolic Significance of the Book Cover Art in The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a literary masterpiece that explores themes of ambition, love, wealth, and the elusive American Dream. While the novel itself is rich with symbolism, the book cover art—often overlooked—plays a crucial role in encapsulating these themes visually. The most iconic cover for The Great Gatsby is the original 1925 design by Francis Cugat, which features a pair of disembodied eyes and a mouth floating over a blue, night-time cityscape. This haunting image is not merely decorative; it serves as a visual gateway into the novel’s deeper meanings. As a postgraduate student, I find the cover art to be a profound representation of the novel’s central themes, and its symbolic significance is worth exploring in detail.

The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg: A Window into the Soul of the Novel

The most striking element of the cover art is the pair of eyes, which are widely interpreted as a representation of the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, a recurring symbol in the novel. In the story, these eyes are depicted on a faded billboard in the Valley of Ashes, a desolate area between West Egg and New York City. The eyes are described as "blue and gigantic," looking out over the moral decay and corruption of the characters.

On the book cover, the eyes are similarly haunting, with a sense of omniscience and judgment. They seem to gaze directly at the reader, evoking a feeling of unease and introspection. This mirrors the novel’s exploration of morality and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The eyes serve as a reminder that, despite the characters’ attempts to escape their pasts or justify their actions, they are constantly being watched—not just by society, but by their own consciences.

The disembodied nature of the eyes on the cover also reflects the detachment and isolation that many of the characters experience. Gatsby, for all his wealth and grandeur, is ultimately alone, chasing a dream that is forever out of reach. The eyes, floating without a face, symbolize this sense of disconnection and the emptiness that lies beneath the surface of the Jazz Age’s glittering facade.

The Cityscape: The Illusion of the American Dream

Beneath the eyes on the cover art is a cityscape, bathed in a deep blue hue. The city represents the promise of the American Dream—a place where anyone can achieve success and happiness through hard work and determination. However, the blue tint of the cityscape suggests a sense of melancholy and illusion. It is not the vibrant, golden city of opportunity that Gatsby and others envision, but a cold, distant mirage.

This imagery ties directly into the novel’s critique of the American Dream. Gatsby’s rise from poverty to wealth seems to embody the ideal of self-made success, but his story ultimately ends in tragedy. The city on the cover, with its ethereal and unattainable quality, reflects the hollowness of Gatsby’s dream and the broader disillusionment of the era. The American Dream, as depicted in the novel, is not a tangible reality but a fleeting illusion, much like the cityscape on the cover.

The Cityscape:: Silence and Unspoken Desires

The inclusion of a mouth on the cover art is less immediately obvious but equally significant. The mouth, with its slightly open, almost mournful expression, suggests a sense of unspoken longing and suppressed emotions. This ties into the novel’s exploration of communication—or the lack thereof—between characters. Gatsby’s inability to express his true feelings to Daisy, and Daisy’s own silence about her emotions, are central to the story’s tragic outcome.

The mouth also symbolizes the characters’ inability to articulate their desires and fears. Gatsby’s dream of reuniting with Daisy is never fully realized because it exists more in his imagination than in reality. Similarly, the other characters are trapped in a world of superficiality, where genuine communication is rare. The mouth on the cover, floating in isolation, captures this theme of unspoken desires and the barriers that prevent true connection.

The Color Palette: Mood and Atmosphere

The color palette of the cover art—dominated by shades of blue and black—creates a mood of melancholy and mystery. Blue is often associated with dreams, illusions, and unattainable ideals, all of which are central to the novel. The darkness of the night sky and the cityscape suggests the moral ambiguity and moral decay that pervade the story.

The use of color also reflects the duality of the Jazz Age—a time of both exuberance and despair. The bright lights of the city, hinted at in the cover art, symbolize the glamour and excitement of the era, while the darkness represents the underlying corruption and emptiness. This duality is a recurring theme in the novel, as characters like Gatsby and Daisy are drawn to the glittering surface of wealth and status, only to find that it masks a deeper void.

Conclusion: The Cover as a Microcosm of the Novel

In conclusion, the book cover art for The Great Gatsby is far more than a decorative element; it is a visual representation of the novel’s core themes and symbols. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, the distant cityscape, the mournful mouth, and the evocative color palette all work together to create a sense of longing, disillusionment, and moral ambiguity. As a postgraduate student, I see the cover as a microcosm of the novel itself—a work of art that captures the essence of Fitzgerald’s critique of the American Dream and the human condition.

The cover invites readers to look beyond the surface, just as the novel challenges us to see beyond the glittering facade of the Jazz Age. It serves as a reminder that, like Gatsby’s dream, the things we chase are often illusions, and the eyes that watch us are not just those of society, but of our own inner selves. In this way, the cover art is not just an introduction to the novel, but a reflection of its enduring relevance and power.

Question : Write about 'Understanding Jay Gatsby's character' [Watch two short videos for the ideas i.e. (i) Understanding J. Gatsby and (ii) Psychoanalytical Study - Shame (guilt) and Grief. 

Video on Understanding J. Gatsby | The Great Gatsby (2013) | Character Analysis on YouTube/Film is just Moving Pictures: Click here.

Video on A Psychoanalysis of Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) on YouTube/Emory University: Click here.

Click here to watch the full playlist on The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald on YouTube\Course Hero.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby presents one of the most enigmatic and tragic figures in American literature—Jay Gatsby. Beneath the surface of his immense wealth, extravagant parties, and larger-than-life persona lies a man deeply tormented by shame and grief. Understanding Gatsby’s character requires delving into his psyche, examining the driving forces behind his actions, and acknowledging the tragic consequences of his inability to let go of the past.

The Dual Forces of Shame and Grief

A critical lens through which Gatsby’s character can be examined is the interplay between shame and grief. Unlike guilt, which stems from a wrongdoing, shame is rooted in self-perception and a sense of personal inadequacy. Gatsby’s shame originates from his humble beginnings in North Dakota, which he desperately seeks to erase by fabricating a grand identity. His transformation from James Gatz into Jay Gatsby is not just a reinvention—it is an escape from the shame of being the son of unsuccessful farmers. By amassing great wealth and throwing lavish parties, he attempts to prove his worth, both to himself and to the world, particularly to Daisy Buchanan.

However, Gatsby’s shame is intricately intertwined with grief. His longing for Daisy is not merely a romantic obsession but a deep-seated grief over the loss of an idealized past. He yearns not just for Daisy, but for a time when he felt hope, love, and a sense of belonging. This grief manifests in his desperate attempts to stop time, as symbolized by his near destruction of the clock during his reunion with Daisy. His inability to accept the passage of time keeps him trapped in a cycle of nostalgia and longing, preventing him from moving forward.

The Tragic Pursuit of the Past

One of Gatsby’s defining traits is his relentless pursuit of an unattainable dream. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock serves as a powerful symbol of this pursuit, representing not only his desire for Daisy but also the broader theme of the American Dream—an ideal that often remains just out of reach. Gatsby’s belief that he can recreate the past is tragically flawed; he fails to recognize that time has changed both himself and Daisy. His inability to see Daisy as she truly is, rather than as the idealized version he holds in his mind, leads to his eventual downfall.

This distorted perception is further reinforced by his extravagant displays of wealth. Gatsby’s parties, attended by people who barely know him, serve as a façade to mask his inner emptiness. His wealth is not an end in itself but a means to an end—winning back Daisy and proving his worth. However, this pursuit only highlights the superficial nature of the society he inhabits, where status and appearance take precedence over genuine connection and morality.

Fear of Judgment and the Watchful Eyes

Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald uses the motif of eyes to symbolize judgment and perception. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg loom over the Valley of Ashes, serving as an unblinking witness to the moral decay of the era. For Gatsby, the fear of judgment extends beyond society’s gaze to his own self-perception. His entire identity is constructed on the belief that he must become someone worthy of admiration and love, yet deep down, he remains haunted by the fear that his true self is inadequate.

The difference between Gatsby and other characters in the novel lies in their reactions to judgment. While Tom and Daisy Buchanan remain indifferent to the consequences of their actions, Gatsby is acutely aware of how he is perceived. This psychological burden adds to his tragic nature, as he continuously seeks validation from a world that ultimately discards him.

The Symbolism of Time and Gatsby’s Fate

Time is an overarching theme in The Great Gatsby, particularly in relation to Gatsby’s character. His belief that he can turn back time and reclaim his past happiness with Daisy is central to his tragedy. The novel repeatedly emphasizes that time is irreversible—Nick Carraway reminds Gatsby that “you can’t repeat the past,” yet Gatsby insists, “Why of course you can!” This fatal flaw—his refusal to accept reality—seals his fate.

His tragic journey reaches its climax when Daisy chooses to remain with Tom, shattering Gatsby’s dream. Despite his efforts, he is left alone, waiting for a call that never comes. His death, occurring in near solitude, underscores the futility of his relentless pursuit. The society that once admired his wealth quickly forgets him, exposing the hollowness of the world he sought to conquer.

Conclusion: The Timeless Tragedy of Jay Gatsby

Gatsby’s character is a masterful study in contrasts—hope and despair, grandeur and vulnerability, ambition and self-destruction. His journey is one of relentless striving, driven by deep-seated shame and an inability to process grief. In his pursuit of love, success, and validation, he ultimately becomes a tragic symbol of the American Dream’s elusive nature.

Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald critiques not only the moral and social decay of the Jazz Age but also the inherent human tendency to chase unattainable ideals. Gatsby’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of living in the past, the weight of societal expectations, and the tragic consequences of failing to accept the reality of time’s passage. His character continues to resonate with readers today, making him one of literature’s most enduring and complex figures.

Question : How faithful is Luhrmann's film adaption to the original novel?

The Great Gatsby (2013 film)
Directed by	Baz Luhrmann
Screenplay by	Baz Luhrmann Craig Pearce
Based on	The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Produced by	Baz Luhrmann Catherine Martin Douglas Wick Lucy Fisher Catherine Knapman
Starring	Leonardo DiCaprio Tobey Maguire Carey Mulligan Joel Edgerton Isla Fisher Jason Clarke
Cinematography	Simon Duggan
Edited by	Matt Villa Jason Ballantine Jonathan Redmond
Music by	Craig Armstrong
Production companies	Village Roadshow Pictures A&E Television Bazmark Productions Red Wagon Entertainment
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures (Worldwide) Roadshow Films (Australia)
Release dates	May 1, 2013 (New York City) May 10, 2013 (United States) May 30, 2013 (Australia)
Running time	142 minutes
Countries	Australia United States
Language	English
Budget	$105 million
Box office	$353.6 million

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of the Jazz Age, exploring themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. The novel has seen multiple film adaptations, but Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 version, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, is among the most visually striking. The question remains: How faithful is Luhrmann’s adaptation to the original novel?

Narrative Faithfulness

One of the most crucial aspects of any adaptation is its adherence to the source material’s plot and narrative structure. Luhrmann retains the core storyline of Fitzgerald’s novel: Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate and World War I veteran, moves to West Egg and becomes entangled in the extravagant world of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire obsessed with rekindling his past love with Daisy Buchanan. The film preserves most key events from the novel, including Gatsby’s lavish parties, his reunion with Daisy, the confrontation at the Plaza Hotel, and the tragic ending.

However, there are certain modifications. In the film, Nick narrates the story from a sanitarium, where he is being treated for alcoholism and depression. This framing device is absent in the novel, where Nick simply recounts his experiences from a reflective standpoint. Luhrmann’s choice adds a psychological depth to Nick’s character but diverges from Fitzgerald’s original presentation of him as an observer rather than a patient.

Character Portrayals

Luhrmann’s adaptation largely stays true to Fitzgerald’s characterizations, though certain elements are exaggerated for cinematic appeal.

Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio): DiCaprio captures Gatsby’s charisma, ambition, and deep longing for Daisy. His delivery of the famous phrase “old sport” mirrors Gatsby’s affected mannerisms in the novel. However, the film slightly amplifies Gatsby’s desperation and emotional vulnerability, making his character appear more openly fragile than Fitzgerald’s version, who is enigmatic and composed.

Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan): Daisy’s portrayal in the film aligns with the novel’s depiction of her as charming yet superficial, torn between Gatsby and Tom. However, some critics argue that the film romanticizes her more than Fitzgerald intended, making her seem more innocent rather than complicit in Gatsby’s downfall.

Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire): Maguire’s Nick serves as the film’s narrator, maintaining his role as the moral center of the story. The addition of the sanitarium frame alters his character slightly, suggesting a deeper psychological toll from his experiences than the novel explicitly states.

Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton) and Myrtle Wilson (Isla Fisher): Tom’s arrogance and hypocrisy are well captured, and Myrtle’s portrayal as a desperate, reckless woman aligns with the novel. However, the film emphasizes Tom’s brutality more explicitly.

Visual and Stylistic Choices

Luhrmann’s signature style is flamboyant and energetic, which both enhances and distracts from Fitzgerald’s themes. The extravagant party scenes, filled with modern hip-hop music (notably Jay-Z’s soundtrack), contrast with the 1920s setting. While this choice was meant to make the film more accessible to contemporary audiences, it departs from the novel’s historical authenticity. Fitzgerald’s novel critiques excess, whereas the film, at times, seems to revel in it.

However, Luhrmann excels in visual symbolism. The green light at Daisy’s dock, Gatsby’s longing gaze, and the ominous eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are all effectively translated to the screen. These symbols remain as haunting as they are in the novel, preserving Fitzgerald’s themes of unattainable dreams and moral decay.

Dialogue and Themes

Much of the film’s dialogue is lifted directly from the novel, preserving Fitzgerald’s poetic language. Nick’s reflections on Gatsby’s dream, the corruption of wealth, and the illusion of the American Dream remain intact. The film also retains the novel’s melancholic ending, where Nick reflects on Gatsby’s tragic fate and the unattainability of the past.

However, some thematic nuances are lost. The film, with its fast-paced editing and overwhelming visuals, occasionally underplays the novel’s subtler critiques of class, privilege, and social mobility. Fitzgerald’s novel is deeply ironic and layered; Luhrmann’s film sometimes replaces irony with spectacle.

Conclusion: Fidelity vs. Interpretation

While Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby remains largely faithful to Fitzgerald’s novel in terms of plot, character arcs, and major themes, it takes creative liberties in its presentation. The addition of the sanitarium frame, the modernized soundtrack, and the heightened emotional intensity slightly alter the tone of the story. Nevertheless, the film successfully conveys Gatsby’s tragic pursuit of an unattainable dream, ensuring that Fitzgerald’s message endures.

For purists, the adaptation’s stylistic choices might feel excessive. However, as an interpretation, it brings The Great Gatsby to life in a visually stunning and emotionally compelling way, making it an accessible entry point for new audiences while honoring the spirit of the novel.

Question : Write a brief note on the symbolic significance of 'Green Light' and 'Billboard of The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckelberg'.

The Green Light and the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg: Unpacking the Symbols of The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a masterpiece of American literature, renowned for its rich symbolism and exploration of the American Dream. Among its many symbols, two stand out as particularly evocative: the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock and the billboard of the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. These symbols are not just decorative elements; they are central to understanding the novel’s themes of aspiration, disillusionment, and moral decay. Let’s dive into their meanings and how they shape the story.

The Green Light: The Allure and Illusion of the American Dream

The green light is one of the most iconic symbols in The Great Gatsby. It first appears in Chapter 1, when Nick Carraway sees Jay Gatsby standing on his lawn, “stretching out his arms toward the dark water” and trembling as he reaches for “a single green light, minute and far away.” This moment is both poignant and prophetic, encapsulating Gatsby’s dreams and the broader themes of the novel.

What Does the Green Light Symbolize?

Gatsby’s Longing for Daisy: On a personal level, the green light represents Gatsby’s obsessive love for Daisy Buchanan. It is a physical manifestation of his dream to reunite with her and recapture the past. Gatsby associates the light with Daisy, who lives across the bay in East Egg, and it becomes a beacon of hope and desire. However, as Nick observes, Gatsby’s dream is rooted in an idealized version of Daisy and their past relationship—one that can never be fully realized.

The American Dream: On a broader level, the green light symbolizes the American Dream—the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and happiness through hard work and determination. Gatsby, a self-made man who rises from poverty to wealth, embodies this ideal. Yet, the green light’s distance and elusiveness suggest that the American Dream is ultimately unattainable. Despite his wealth and status, Gatsby cannot win Daisy’s love or gain acceptance into the old-money elite, highlighting the emptiness and corruption that often lie beneath the surface of the American Dream.

Hope and Disillusionment: The green light also embodies the tension between hope and disillusionment. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of his dream is both inspiring and tragic. He believes in the “orgastic future” that the green light represents, yet this future continually recedes, always just out of reach. This reflects Fitzgerald’s critique of the human tendency to chase unattainable ideals, only to be left disappointed.

Key Quote:

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…” (Chapter 9).

This passage captures the cyclical nature of hope and disillusionment, as well as the enduring human desire to believe in something greater, even when it remains out of reach.

The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg: A Haunting Symbol of Moral Decay

If the green light represents hope and aspiration, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg represent judgment and moral decay. The billboard, featuring a pair of enormous, bespectacled eyes, looms over the Valley of Ashes—a desolate wasteland between West Egg and New York City. This symbol is both eerie and profound, serving as a silent witness to the characters’ actions and the moral emptiness of their world.

What Do the Eyes Symbolize?

Moral Judgment: The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg are often interpreted as a symbol of divine judgment. Their lifeless yet all-seeing gaze suggests a god-like figure watching over the characters, particularly in the Valley of Ashes, where poverty and moral decay are rampant. George Wilson, distraught over his wife Myrtle’s death, refers to the eyes as “the eyes of God,” believing they see everything and will bring justice. However, the eyes are ultimately just an advertisement, highlighting the spiritual emptiness of the world Fitzgerald depicts.

The Absence of God: In a society dominated by materialism and excess, traditional moral and religious values have been replaced by hollow symbols. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, while watchful, do not intervene to prevent the tragedies that unfold in the novel. This suggests that in the world of The Great Gatsby, morality is subjective, and the pursuit of wealth and status has eroded any sense of higher purpose or accountability.

The Valley of Ashes: The billboard’s location in the Valley of Ashes further emphasizes its symbolic significance. The Valley represents the moral and social decay that results from the exploitation of the poor by the rich. The eyes, overlooking this bleak landscape, serve as a constant reminder of the consequences of greed and selfishness.

Key Quote:

“Above the grey land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg… They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose” (Chapter 2).

This description underscores the eerie and omnipresent nature of the eyes, as well as their detachment from any human form, reinforcing their symbolic role as a faceless, impersonal judge.

How Do These Symbols Connect?

The green light and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg are deeply interconnected in their exploration of the novel’s central themes. The green light represents the allure of dreams and aspirations, while the eyes represent the moral consequences of pursuing those dreams in a corrupt and materialistic society. Together, they highlight the tension between hope and despair, idealism and reality, and the moral decay that underpins the American Dream.

Dreams and Consequences: Gatsby’s pursuit of the green light leads to his moral downfall and eventual death, underscoring the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, meanwhile, serve as a silent witness to this tragedy, reminding readers of the moral emptiness that accompanies the pursuit of wealth and status.

The Fragility of Ideals: Both symbols emphasize the fragility of human ideals in a world dominated by materialism. Gatsby’s dream is ultimately unattainable, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, while watchful, offer no redemption or justice. This reflects Fitzgerald’s critique of the Jazz Age as a period of moral and spiritual decline.

Final Thoughts

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the green light and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg to explore the complexities of human ambition, the fragility of dreams, and the moral emptiness of a society driven by wealth and status. The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s unattainable dreams and the broader illusion of the American Dream, while the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg serve as a haunting reminder of the moral and spiritual decay that accompanies the pursuit of material success. Together, these symbols deepen the novel’s critique of the Jazz Age and the enduring human struggle to reconcile dreams with reality.

As readers, we are left to ponder: Are our own “green lights” worth chasing, or are they, too, just illusions? And what moral judgments might we face in our pursuit of them? These questions make The Great Gatsby not just a story of the 1920s, but a timeless exploration of the human condition.

Question: Write a brief note on the theme of 'The American Dream' and 'Class Conflict' in the novel.

Introduction:

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a profound exploration of the American Dream and the entrenched class divisions of the 1920s. Set against the backdrop of the Jazz Age, the novel delves into the lives of characters who embody the aspirations and failures of a society obsessed with wealth and status. Through the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald critiques the illusion of the American Dream and exposes the rigid social hierarchies that perpetuate inequality. The themes of the American Dream and class conflict are central to the novel, revealing the moral and social decay beneath the glittering surface of the Roaring Twenties.

The American Dream:

The novel critiques the idealized notion of the American Dream—the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. Gatsby, the self-made millionaire, embodies this dream, rising from humble beginnings to immense wealth. However, Fitzgerald reveals the hollowness of this dream through Gatsby's tragic fate. Despite his wealth, Gatsby cannot attain his ultimate goal: winning back Daisy and transcending his past. His dream is ultimately unattainable, as symbolized by the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, which represents an elusive and unreachable ideal. As Nick Carraway reflects, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And one fine morning—" This line underscores the perpetual deferment of the American Dream, suggesting it is more illusion than reality.

Class Conflict:

The novel also explores the rigid class divisions of 1920s America, highlighting the tension between "old money" (inherited wealth) and "new money" (self-made wealth). The Buchanans, representing old money, look down upon Gatsby, despite his wealth, because he lacks the social pedigree they value. This conflict is evident in Tom Buchanan's disdain for Gatsby, as he dismissively remarks, "I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife." This line encapsulates the elitism and snobbery of the upper class, who view Gatsby as an outsider. The novel suggests that no amount of wealth can bridge the gap between these social classes, as Gatsby's efforts to assimilate into the elite ultimately fail.

Conclusion:

In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald masterfully critiques the American Dream and exposes the deep-rooted class conflicts of his time. Through Gatsby's tragic pursuit of an unattainable ideal and the stark divisions between old and new money, the novel reveals the emptiness of materialism and the moral decay of a society obsessed with wealth and status. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of the American Dream as an elusive and ultimately unfulfilling goal, coupled with his exploration of class barriers, leaves readers with a poignant reflection on the human condition and the enduring inequalities that define American society. The novel remains a timeless critique of the illusions and realities of the American experience.

References:

Barad, Dilip. “Great Gatsby.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 14 June 2021, blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/06/great-gatsby.html. 

 

DeFife, Jared. “A Psychoanalysis of Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby).” YouTube, uploaded by Emory University, 8 May 2013, youtu.be/mId34ZoOilA. 

“The Great Gatsby: Book Cover Art and Its Connection to the Novel’s Themes.” ResearchGate, Feb. 2024, https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.19047.21921.

Archetypal Criticism

This blog is a task assigned by Prof. Dr. Dilip Barad, Head of the Department of English (MKBU), Here is the link to the professor's blog for background reading: Click here. And it brings together two interconnected analyses of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land.

Sir has assigned us a task involving DeepSeek, a new AI tool. We are given multiple prompts to input into DeepSeek and must fact-check its responses. 

The first prompt is tested  ChatGPT , while the rest are only given to DeepSeek. After verifying the accuracy of the responses, we will publish the corrected and confirmed information in a blog.

Click here to access the full playlist of recorded online sessions on literary archetypes on YouTube/DoE-MKBU.

1) What is Archetypal Criticism?

Video on New Criticism to Archetypal Criticism: John Ransom Crowe, Northrop Frye

Archetypal criticism is a form of literary analysis that focuses on identifying recurring symbols, motifs, characters, and narrative patterns in literature, which are believed to be universal across cultures and time periods. These recurring elements are called "archetypes," a term derived from the Greek words arche (original) and typos (model or type). Archetypal criticism is rooted in the theories of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, who proposed that archetypes are part of the "collective unconscious"—a shared reservoir of experiences and memories that all humans inherit.

Archetypal critics analyze texts to uncover these universal patterns and explore how they resonate with human experiences, emotions, and cultural myths. This approach often connects literature to broader psychological, mythological, and anthropological contexts.

2) What Do Archetypal Critics Do?

Video  on Mythic-Archetypal Criticism: An Introduction on YouTube/Vidya-mitra: Click here.

Archetypal critics engage in the following activities:

Identify Archetypes: They look for recurring symbols, characters, and themes in literature that align with universal archetypes. Examples include the Hero, the Mother, the Trickster, the Journey, and the Quest.

Explore Mythological Connections: They examine how literary works reflect or reinterpret myths, legends, and religious stories. For instance, they might analyze how a modern novel echoes the structure of the hero's journey as described in Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

Analyze Symbolism: They interpret symbols and motifs in a text to uncover deeper psychological or cultural meanings. For example, water might symbolize rebirth, while a desert could represent spiritual barrenness.

Connect Literature to the Collective Unconscious: They explore how literature taps into shared human experiences and emotions, suggesting that certain stories and characters resonate because they reflect universal truths.

Compare Texts Across Cultures: They study how similar archetypes appear in different cultural contexts, highlighting the universality of certain narratives and symbols.

3) Exemplify How Archetypal Criticism Is Done?  

To demonstrate how archetypal criticism is applied, let’s analyze a well-known literary work: The Odyssey by Homer.

Step 1: Identify Archetypes

The Hero (Odysseus): Odysseus embodies the archetype of the Hero, a figure who undertakes a perilous journey, faces trials, and returns transformed.

The Journey: The entire narrative is structured around the archetypal journey, which symbolizes personal growth, self-discovery, and the overcoming of obstacles.

The Mentor (Athena): Athena serves as a guide and protector to Odysseus, representing the Mentor archetype.

The Temptress (Circe and the Sirens): These figures embody the archetype of the Temptress, who tests the hero’s resolve and represents the allure of distraction or danger.

Step 2: Explore Mythological Connections

The story of Odysseus can be compared to other hero myths, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh or the story of King Arthur. These narratives share common elements, such as the hero’s quest, supernatural aid, and the ultimate return home.

Step 3: Analyze Symbolism

The Sea: The sea in The Odyssey symbolizes both chaos and the unknown, reflecting the challenges and uncertainties of life.

Home (Ithaca): Ithaca represents the ultimate goal of the journey, symbolizing stability, identity, and belonging.

Step 4: Connect to the Collective Unconscious

The trials Odysseus faces—such as resisting the Sirens or navigating between Scylla and Charybdis—can be seen as metaphors for universal human struggles, such as the tension between temptation and discipline or the need to make difficult choices.

Step 5: Compare Across Cultures

The archetypal journey of Odysseus can be compared to other cultural narratives, such as the Hindu epic The Ramayana, where Rama also embarks on a quest to rescue his wife and restore order.

Conclusion

Archetypal criticism provides a powerful lens for understanding literature by connecting it to universal human experiences and cultural myths. By identifying archetypes, analyzing symbolism, and exploring mythological connections, archetypal critics reveal the deeper psychological and cultural significance of literary works. This approach not only enriches our understanding of individual texts but also highlights the shared stories and symbols that unite humanity across time and space.

After conducting a New Critical verbal reading of T.S. Eliot's , I have identified the following recurring motifs and symbols:

[That you will find in the Excel sheet (spreadsheet) that I have provided.]

That you will find in the Excel sheet (spreadsheet) that I have provided.]

 Animals : Cricket , Dog, Dolphin , Rats, Rat, Cicada, Hermit Thrush, Bats, Cock Spider.

Birds : Hermit Thrush , Swallow , Cock , Gulls , Nightingale. 

Seasons : Summer , Winter , Spring,   Colour : Red , Brown , Golden,  Green , Orange , Red and Gold, Brown , White , Violet etc.  

 Using these findings as your foundation, interpret through the lens of Northrop Frye's .

Consider these guiding questions: 

How do the recurring motifs (animals, birds, colours, seasons) reflect archetypal patterns such as the cycle of life, death, and rebirth?

In what ways does the poem employ the archetypes of , , or ?

Does the imagery of desolation, water, and renewal align with Frye's notion of —such as the "desert" and "garden" opposites?

How does the use of seasonal archetypes underscore the spiritual and cultural decay/rebirth narrative within the poem?

Your analysis should explore how Eliot draws upon these universal archetypes to craft a modern myth and critique the fragmentation of contemporary life. Include specific references to the text to support your interpretation.

The following answer is given by ChatGPT using the same prompt.

This analysis of T.S. Eliot’s poem, guided by Northrop Frye’s archetypal criticism, explores how recurring motifs (animals, birds, colors, and seasons) create an intricate web of archetypes that reflect the cyclical patterns of life, death, and rebirth. Eliot employs these universal patterns to craft a modern myth that critiques the spiritual and cultural fragmentation of contemporary life.

1. The Cycle of Life, Death, and Rebirth

Eliot’s use of animals, birds, and seasons symbolizes the archetypal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. For instance:

Animals and Birds: The Hermit Thrush evokes solitude and spiritual reflection, aligning with death and rebirth themes. Similarly, the Swallow, a migratory bird, symbolizes renewal and return, echoing the rebirth cycle. The cock, a traditional herald of dawn, suggests awakening and resurrection, while rats and bats evoke decay and death, underscoring the darker, desolate aspects of the cycle.

Seasons: Winter represents death and stagnation, spring signals renewal and rebirth, and summer suggests fulfillment and vitality. These seasonal archetypes encapsulate the passage from spiritual desolation to renewal, a recurring theme in Eliot’s work.

Eliot weaves these archetypes into the fabric of his poem, suggesting that even amidst cultural decay, the possibility of regeneration persists. For example, the imagery of the cricket in the poem may signify a lingering echo of life amid desolation, hinting at continuity.

2. Archetypes of the Journey, the Quest, and the Wasteland

Through Frye’s lens, Eliot’s poem can be seen as a depiction of the archetypal journey and quest within the wasteland. The motifs of desolation and renewal are central:

Water and Renewal: Images of rivers, oceans, and rain often appear in Eliot’s poem. These represent spiritual cleansing and rebirth, countering the desolation of the wasteland. For instance, the dolphin, traditionally associated with guidance and salvation, may symbolize a guide through chaotic waters, leading to spiritual renewal.

Desert and Garden Opposites: Frye’s “desert” archetype aligns with Eliot’s portrayal of cultural and spiritual barrenness. The persistent imagery of dryness (e.g., “cracked earth” or lack of water) symbolizes the fragmentation of modern life. Conversely, moments of renewal and vegetation—such as references to spring and the color green—evoke the “garden” archetype, suggesting hope for spiritual regeneration.

3. The Archetype of Cultural Decay and Rebirth

Eliot’s use of seasonal archetypes underscores the spiritual and cultural decline and potential for rebirth:

Colors: Red and gold evoke vitality and decay, capturing the paradoxical beauty and destruction of human civilization. The recurring combination of red and gold signifies a yearning for spiritual richness amidst moral and cultural decay. Brown, white, and violet further emphasize the contrast between decay and purity or renewal.

Seasons and Time: The cyclicality of seasons mirrors the cycles of cultural collapse and renewal. For instance, spring often heralds a return to hope and life, whereas winter embodies the sterility and despair of modernity.

By employing these archetypes, Eliot critiques the fragmentation of contemporary life, emphasizing how the modern world’s spiritual barrenness contrasts with universal patterns of renewal found in myth.

4. The Modern Myth and Critique of Fragmentation

Eliot draws on archetypal patterns to construct a modern myth that reflects the spiritual crisis of the 20th century:

The fragmented structure of his poem mirrors the disjointedness of modern life, echoing the archetype of the wasteland. Recurring imagery of desolation, such as rats and winter, reinforces this critique.

Yet, Eliot also provides glimpses of redemption. The use of universal archetypes—like the dolphin as a savior, the nightingale as a harbinger of song and renewal, and spring as a season of rebirth—offers a pathway out of the wasteland, suggesting that spiritual and cultural renewal is possible.

5. Conclusion

Through recurring motifs and archetypes, T.S. Eliot’s poem aligns with Frye’s notions of myth and archetypal patterns. Animals, birds, colors, and seasons symbolize the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, reflecting a modern myth that critiques the fragmentation of contemporary life. At the same time, Eliot’s juxtaposition of desolation and renewal suggests that even in the midst of decay, there lies the potential for regeneration. This tension between despair and hope underscores the universal and timeless relevance of Eliot’s work.

References:

Barad, Dilip. “Nortahrop Frye: The Archetypes of Literature.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 29 Dec. 2014, blog.dilipbarad.com/2014/12/northrop-frye-archetypes-of-literature.html. 

Virginia Woolf's Orlando: A Biography

This blog task is assigned by Prakruti Bhatt Ma'am (Department of English, MKBU). 

                  Orlando: A Biography

About the Author : 

Virginia Woolf (born January 25, 1882, London, England—died March 28, 1941, near Rodmell, Sussex) was an English writer whose novels, through their nonlinear approaches to narrative, exerted a major influence on the genre.

While she is best known for her novels, especially Mrs. Dalloway (1925) and To the Lighthouse (1927), Woolf also wrote pioneering essays on artistic theory, literary history, women’s writing, and the politics of power. A fine stylist, she experimented with several forms of biographical writing, composed painterly short fictions, and sent to her friends and family a lifetime of brilliant letters.

• Original name in full: Adeline Virginia Stephe

• Born: January 25, 1882, London, England

• Died: March 28, 1941, near Rodmell, Sussex (aged 59)

• Notable Works: “A Room of One’s Own” “Between the Acts” “Flush” “Freshwater” “Jacob’s Room” “Kew Gardens” “Modern Fiction” “Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown” “Mrs. Dalloway” “Orlando” “The Art of Fiction” “The Common Reader” “The Common Reader: Second Series” “The New Biography” “The Pargiters: A Novel-Essay” “The Voyage Out” “The Waves” “The Years” “Three Guineas” “To the Lighthouse”

• Movement / Style: Modernism

• Notable Family Members: spouse Leonard Woolf father Sir Leslie Stephen sister Vanessa Bell

• Subjects Of Study: literature

 Video on Virginia Woolf  (click here)  

Video on Virginia Woolf by  Kalyani Vallath

About the Novel : 

• Title: Orlando: A Biography

• Author: Virginia Woolf

• Publication Date: 11 October 1928

• Publisher: Hogarth Press

• Genre: Modernist fiction, feminist literature, speculative fiction, biography

• Narrative Style: A mix of historical fiction, fantasy, and biography with elements of satire and parody.

• Plot Overview: The novel follows the life of Orlando, a nobleman born in the Elizabethan era who mysteriously transforms into a woman and lives for over 300 years without aging significantly. It explores themes of gender identity, time, history, and literature.

• Inspiration: Inspired by Woolf’s close relationship with Vita Sackville-West, the novel is considered a love letter and a playful tribute to her life and ancestry.

• Experimental Elements: Orlando is famous for its fluid treatment of time and identity, challenging traditional notions of biography and gender roles.

• Legacy: The novel is regarded as a landmark in feminist and LGBTQ+ literature and has been adapted into various media, including a 1992 film directed by Sally Potter.

Video on  Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Question : Analyze Woolf's use of time in Orlando. What effect does it have on the narrative of the text?

 Answer : 

The Fluidity of Time in Orlando: Woolf’s Narrative Experimentation

Virginia Woolf’s Orlando: A Biography (1928) is a radical literary experiment in both form and content, particularly in its treatment of time. Unlike conventional biographies that follow a linear chronological order, Woolf’s novel presents time as fluid, elastic, and subjective. By allowing the protagonist, Orlando, to live for over three centuries without significant aging, Woolf subverts traditional historical and literary structures. This manipulation of time serves multiple narrative functions: it emphasizes the mutability of identity, critiques historical and literary conventions, and enhances the novel’s fantastical and satirical tone.

Woolf’s Narrative Time vs. Historical Time

One of the most striking aspects of Orlando is its refusal to adhere to conventional historical time. The novel begins in the Elizabethan period and moves through subsequent centuries, yet Orlando does not age in a typical manner. As Woolf humorously notes, "At the age of thirty, Orlando had scarcely a wrinkle on his face" (Woolf, 1928, p. 97). This suggests that time in Orlando is not merely chronological but psychological and experiential.

Woolf’s treatment of time aligns with Henri Bergson’s concept of durée, which distinguishes between measurable time and the subjective experience of time. According to Bergson, real time is not a series of fixed moments but an ongoing flow of consciousness. This is evident in Orlando’s experience, where centuries pass with little notice, yet emotional and creative moments feel prolonged and significant.

Literary critic Rachel Bowlby argues that Woolf’s treatment of time in Orlando reflects her broader modernist concerns: "The fluidity of time in Orlando is a rejection of rigid historical determinism and a celebration of individual experience over chronological fact". This suggests that Woolf is not merely playing with time for artistic effect but actively challenging the way history and identity are traditionally recorded.

Time and Identity: The Gendered Dimension

Orlando’s transformation from male to female in the eighteenth century is a pivotal moment in the novel, and it is also a moment where time seems to collapse. Woolf describes the transition in a dreamlike manner:

"He lay as the sea tossed him and when we next hear of him, he was her" (Woolf, 1928, p. 139).

This moment is significant because it highlights Woolf’s suggestion that identity, like time, is fluid rather than fixed. By spanning different historical periods, Orlando experiences multiple cultural expectations of gender, which further reinforces the novel’s rejection of rigid binaries.

Scholar Elaine Showalter notes that Orlando is "a novel in which gender identity is as unstable as time itself". This perspective emphasizes how Woolf intertwines temporal and gender fluidity, demonstrating how both are socially constructed rather than biologically or historically determined.

The Satirical Use of Time: A Critique of Literary History

Woolf also uses time to critique literary traditions. The novel playfully engages with different literary styles as Orlando moves through historical periods. For example, Orlando’s poetic aspirations in the Elizabethan era mimic the grandeur of Shakespearean verse, while the eighteenth-century portion of the novel satirizes the rationality and restraint of neoclassicism:

"He began a sentence which ran, it is thought, something like this: ‘The wetness of this March morning is like the equinoctial gales in the year 1610—’ when he stopped. For he had said exactly the same thing the morning before" 

This passage reflects Woolf’s critique of literary stagnation, suggesting that artistic and intellectual progress cannot be confined to strict historical categories. Scholar Gillian Beer argues that Orlando “reimagines literary history not as a sequence of fixed movements, but as a dynamic interplay of voices across time” (Beer, 1996, p. 87). This reinforces the idea that time in Orlando is not just a narrative device but a means of rethinking literary and historical continuity.

Conclusion: The Narrative Effect of Woolf’s Temporal Experimentation

By distorting traditional time structures, Woolf not only subverts historical and biographical conventions but also creates a novel that reflects the fluidity of identity, gender, and artistic expression. Time in Orlando is not measured in years but in emotional, creative, and psychological transformations. This approach aligns with Woolf’s modernist ethos, privileging experience and subjectivity over objective chronology. Moreover, by engaging with literary history in a satirical manner, Woolf challenges the rigidity of historical and literary classification, ultimately suggesting that both history and identity are ever-evolving constructs.

Question : Share your views about these lines by Woolf about Orlando who finds switching between genders doubly fulfilling: "She had, it seems no difficulty in sustaining the different parts, for her sex changed far more frequently than those who have worn only one set of clothing can conceive; nor can there be any doubt that she reaped a twofold harvest by this device; the pleasures of life were increased and its experiences multiplied."

 Answer : 

The Liberating Fluidity of Gender in Orlando

Virginia Woolf’s Orlando: A Biography (1928) is a revolutionary exploration of identity, particularly in its treatment of gender fluidity. The quoted passage—"She had, it seems no difficulty in sustaining the different parts, for her sex changed far more frequently than those who have worn only one set of clothing can conceive; nor can there be any doubt that she reaped a twofold harvest by this device; the pleasures of life were increased and its experiences multiplied."—encapsulates Woolf’s radical approach to gender as something mutable rather than biologically or socially fixed. From my perspective, this passage not only challenges traditional gender binaries but also celebrates the richness of experience that comes from transcending them.

Gender as Performance and Experience

Woolf presents gender as a fluid construct, not a rigid category. By stating that Orlando has “no difficulty in sustaining the different parts,” Woolf implies that gender roles are performative rather than innate, a concept later theorized by Judith Butler in Gender Trouble (1990). This suggests that Orlando, having lived as both a man and a woman, understands that identity is shaped by external expectations rather than intrinsic qualities.

The phrase “for her sex changed far more frequently than those who have worn only one set of clothing can conceive” highlights how those who have only known a single gender experience may struggle to grasp the flexibility and multiplicity of identity. Clothing serves as a metaphor for gender—an external, societal imposition rather than an absolute truth. This aligns with Woolf’s broader modernist project of dismantling rigid categories, whether in literature, history, or identity.

The Twofold Harvest: Enriched Experience and Freedom

Woolf’s use of the phrase “twofold harvest” suggests that Orlando’s shifting gender identity is not a source of confusion or limitation but rather a means of gaining richer life experiences. As a man, Orlando enjoys privileges, education, and artistic freedom. As a woman, Orlando navigates societal constraints yet also experiences the depth of emotional and intellectual insight that comes with seeing the world from multiple perspectives.

Scholar Rachel Bowlby notes that Orlando “suggests an experience of gender that is accumulative rather than oppositional” . This means that rather than seeing masculinity and femininity as conflicting, Woolf presents them as complementary aspects of a whole self. Orlando does not lose anything by changing genders; rather, they gain a broader, more profound understanding of life.

Freedom from Social Constructs

Another critical element of this passage is its implicit critique of society’s rigid gender norms. By suggesting that those who have “worn only one set of clothing” cannot comprehend Orlando’s experience, Woolf points to the limitations imposed by societal expectations. This resonates with my view that identity should not be confined to fixed categories but should instead be fluid and evolving.

Elaine Showalter argues that Woolf’s treatment of gender in Orlando “rejects the binary logic of male and female and instead celebrates an androgynous ideal” . This aligns with Woolf’s argument in A Room of One’s Own (1929), where she suggests that a great writer must possess a “man-womanly mind.” By living across genders, Orlando embodies this ideal, demonstrating that true selfhood is not bound by societal classifications.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Multiplicity

From my perspective, this passage is one of the most liberating in Orlando because it affirms the joy of embracing multiple identities rather than being confined to a single role. Woolf’s portrayal of Orlando’s gender fluidity is not tragic or conflicted but empowering, allowing for greater freedom and experience. By presenting gender as something performative, enriching, and ever-changing, Woolf not only critiques rigid societal norms but also offers a vision of identity that is dynamic and expansive. In doing so, she challenges readers to reconsider their own understanding of gender and selfhood.

Question : How far can you consider Orlando a biographical account of Virginia Woolf and her interactions with Vita Sackville West? 

Answer : 

Orlando as a Biographical Reflection of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West

Virginia Woolf’s Orlando: A Biography (1928) is often considered one of the most unconventional biographies ever written, blending fiction, history, and personal reflection. While it presents itself as a biography of its protagonist, Orlando, it is widely recognized as an imaginative portrayal of Woolf’s close relationship with Vita Sackville-West. From my perspective, Orlando is not a traditional biography but rather a literary tribute, infused with Woolf’s personal emotions, intellectual admiration, and exploration of identity through the lens of fantasy and history.

Orlando as Vita Sackville-West: The Biographical Connection

One of the most direct biographical elements in Orlando is its clear connection to Vita Sackville-West. Orlando, a noble figure who transcends time and gender, is often seen as a fictionalized version of Sackville-West, who was known for her aristocratic heritage, literary talent, and unconventional approach to gender and sexuality. Woolf herself acknowledged this connection, describing Orlando as “a tribute” to Vita.

Orlando’s ancestral home in the novel, which plays a significant role in shaping their identity, strongly resembles Knole House, Sackville-West’s family estate. Knole was a symbol of Vita’s conflicted relationship with her aristocratic lineage, as she was unable to inherit the estate due to the laws of primogeniture. Woolf reflects this struggle through Orlando’s deep attachment to their home and the changing historical landscape that shapes their identity. As Woolf writes, “The house was the repository of her memories; each room held a story, each corridor an echo of her past selves” (Woolf, 1928, p. 176). This passage echoes Vita’s own sentiments about Knole, reinforcing the novel’s biographical undertones.

Woolf and Vita: Love, Gender, and Identity

Beyond biography, Orlando also reflects Woolf’s personal relationship with Vita Sackville-West, which was deeply intellectual, emotional, and romantic. Their letters reveal a bond that transcended conventional categories of friendship and love. Woolf’s depiction of Orlando’s gender fluidity mirrors Sackville-West’s androgynous persona and her ability to navigate both masculine and feminine identities. Orlando’s transformation from a man to a woman is not presented as a loss but as an expansion of experience—something that aligns with Woolf’s and Vita’s shared views on gender and identity.

Scholar Louise DeSalvo argues that Orlando is “a love letter in novel form” , a perspective I strongly agree with. Woolf does not merely fictionalize Vita’s life but rather celebrates her ability to defy societal expectations. By making Orlando immortal and ever-changing, Woolf immortalizes Vita in literature, granting her a freedom that real-world constraints denied her.

The Playful Nature of Biography

One of the most fascinating aspects of Orlando is its subversion of the biographical genre. Traditionally, biographies aim for factual accuracy, but Woolf blurs the line between reality and fiction. As she writes in the novel, “A biography is considered complete if it merely accounts for six or seven selves, whereas a person may have as many as a thousand” (Woolf, 1928, p. 244). This suggests that Woolf is less interested in documenting a single truth and more invested in capturing the essence of a life—its fluidity, contradictions, and multiplicity.

Woolf scholar Hermione Lee notes that Orlando “turns biography into an art of possibilities rather than certainties”. From my perspective, this is one of Woolf’s greatest achievements: she challenges the rigid structures of biography and instead creates a narrative that reflects the complexities of human identity and personal connection.

Conclusion: A Biography Beyond Facts

While Orlando is not a strict biographical account, it is undeniably shaped by Woolf’s relationship with Vita Sackville-West. The novel captures the essence of Vita—her aristocratic background, her struggles with inheritance, her gender fluidity, and her defiance of societal norms—while also serving as an artistic exploration of identity and transformation. More than a biography, Orlando is an homage, a literary love letter, and a reimagining of history through Woolf’s modernist lens. It is a work that transcends traditional categories, much like the figures who inspired it.

References : 

Reid, Panthea. "Virginia Woolf". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Feb. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Virginia-Woolf. .

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Orlando". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Feb. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Orlando-by-Woolf. 

WILSON, JAMES SOUTHALL. “TIME AND VIRGINIA WOOLF.” The Virginia Quarterly Review, vol. 18, no. 2, 1942, pp. 267–76. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/26456854. 

Flipped Class Activity: The Waste Land

This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here is the link to the professor's blog for background reading: Click here.

              Title: The Waste Land

Author: T. S. Eliot

Publication Year: 1922

Published In: The poem was first published in the literary magazine The Criterion in October 1922 and later in The Dial in the same year.

Structure: The poem consists of five sections:

• "The Burial of the Dead"
• "A Game of Chess"
• "The Fire Sermon"
• "Death by Water"
• "What the Thunder Said"

Style: Modernist poetry, known for its fragmented structure, use of free verse, and extensive allusions.

 Themes:

• Spiritual desolation and alienation
• Decay of culture and civilization
• Search for meaning and redemption

Allusions: The poem references various literary, religious, and cultural texts, including:

• The Bible
• Dante’s Divine Comedy
• Shakespeare’s plays
• Hindu Upanishads and Buddhist teachings

Influence: Ezra Pound, a fellow modernist poet, heavily edited the original manuscript and is credited in the dedication as "il miglior fabbro" (the better craftsman).

 

Notable Features:

• Multilingual text, incorporating phrases in Latin, Greek, German, French, and Sanskrit.
• Juxtaposition of myth and contemporary reality.
• Use of mythic structures like the Grail legend and the Fisher King.

Impact: The Waste Land is regarded as one of the most important works of modernist literature and has had a profound influence on 20th-century poetry and criticism.

 Famous Lines:

"April is the cruellest month..."

"I will show you fear in a handful of dust."

"Shantih shantih shantih" (a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the peace which passeth u

nderstanding")

Waste Land through Pandemic Lens - Part 1 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/4pLuqHTNscs?si=KDaJP12Y-FKi2YQs

The Waste Land Through the Pandemic Lens: A Poem of Fragmentation, Loss, and Resilience

T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land (1922) is often hailed as a quintessential modernist masterpiece, reflecting post-war disillusionment and cultural decay. However, recent interpretations, particularly by Elizabeth Outka in Viral Modernism, suggest that the poem also serves as an implicit memorial to the 1918 influenza pandemic. This reading reveals how the fragmented structure, haunting imagery, and pervasive themes of vulnerability and decay resonate deeply with the personal and collective trauma of a world grappling with illness.

Eliot and the Spanish Flu

Eliot and his wife, Vivien, contracted the Spanish flu during the pandemic’s second wave in December 1918. This experience left a profound mark on Eliot, contributing to his physical collapse and nervous breakdown in 1921. Letters from this period reveal the exhaustion and despair that shaped both his personal life and artistic vision. The pandemic’s aftermath is subtly woven into The Waste Land, where images of thirst, decay, and frailty echo the devastation left by the flu.

Fragmentation and Fever Dreams

The poem’s disjointed structure mirrors the fragmented consciousness of illness. Feverish hallucinations and disordered thoughts are reflected in abrupt shifts between voices and surreal imagery, such as:

 "Burning burning burning burning"

This repetitive line evokes the fever and delirium associated with influenza, while the recurring motif of waterlessness in What the Thunder Said captures the physical torment of flu symptoms.

The opening lines, “April is the cruellest month,” juxtapose the renewal of spring with death and decay, reflecting the post-pandemic exhaustion that haunted survivors. The poem’s fragmented voices and chaotic juxtapositions embody both the personal disarray of Eliot’s psyche and the collective disorientation of a world recovering from war and illness.

Pathogenic Atmosphere: Wind, Fog, and Contagion

Eliot masterfully constructs a pathogenic atmosphere throughout the poem. The recurring imagery of wind and fog evokes the invisible transmission of disease, amplifying a sense of vulnerability:

"The brown fog of a winter dawn"

This fog, coupled with haunting cityscapes like the “Unreal City,” mirrors the disorientation and suffocating presence of contagion. The tolling of bells throughout the poem symbolizes not only personal mourning but also collective grief, connecting individual losses to the pandemic’s widespread devastation.

Invisible Battles: Memorializing the Pandemic

Unlike wars, pandemics are difficult to memorialize due to their invisible nature. The suffering is deeply personal, experienced within the confines of one’s body, yet collectively endured. Literature, however, bridges this gap, capturing the emotional and cultural toll of such events.

In The Waste Land, Eliot transforms the intangible trauma of the pandemic into a tangible artistic expression. Lines such as “Fear death by water” and images of corpses buried in the earth underscore the fragility of life, while the fragmented structure reflects the disordered reality of a post-pandemic world.

A Dual Lens: War and Illness

Though traditionally interpreted as a response to World War I, The Waste Land transcends this singular lens. Elizabeth Outka suggests that the “miasmic residue of the pandemic” infuses the poem, making it a haunting memorial to both war and illness. The feverish delirium, fragmented voices, and pervasive decay capture the essence of a “post-pandemic consciousness,” offering a unique perspective on collective vulnerability.

Legacy of The Waste Land

Ultimately, The Waste Land endures as a resonant portrayal of human resilience amidst chaos. By embedding the trauma of the Spanish flu within its fragmented form, Eliot not only memorializes the pandemic’s invisible impact but also underscores the universal fragility of life. Through its haunting imagery and disjointed voices, the poem becomes a testament to survival, loss, and the enduring power of literature to give voice to the unspoken.

The Waste Land' through Pandemic Lens Part 2

Video Link: https://youtu.be/tWChnMGynp8?si=4qtUV1FvDk7D9nJk

A Fragmented Memory: Understanding ‘The Waste Land’ Through the Lens of Pandemics and Collective Trauma

T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land has long been regarded as a multifaceted exploration of despair, death, and renewal. However, reading it through the lens of pandemics reveals profound insights into the trauma, grief, and societal fractures caused by both visible and invisible threats, such as the 1918 influenza pandemic. The fragmented structure of Eliot’s masterpiece mirrors the disjointed reality of a world grappling with illness, mortality, and societal upheaval, offering an avenue to reflect on the silencing of collective suffering.

The Silencing of Illness and Memory

Eliot’s portrayal of grief and death serves as a reminder of the necessity to document and remember human suffering. Much like a photograph capturing a fleeting moment, his poetry emphasizes that the body’s pain and the emotional toll of crises must not be forgotten. This notion resonates with how pandemics often fade into obscurity despite their profound impact. To fully understand the poem’s depth, one must heed its voices, which echo the “ghostly but widespread afterlife” of pandemics, revealing how illness is often suppressed or overlooked in collective memory.

Death and the Inevitability of Fate

In The Waste Land, the inevitability of death emerges as a central theme, reflecting the grim realities of the Spanish Flu and other historical crises. Eliot’s work parallels the stark imagery of Austrian paintings that captured the pervasiveness of mortality during such periods. These portrayals underscore humanity’s shared vulnerability in the face of pandemics, where death looms as an inescapable force, reshaping how societies perceive life and its fragility.

Visual Testimonies: From the Vulture to Danish Siddiqui

The tension between life and death, vividly expressed in Eliot’s poetry, finds a modern parallel in Kevin Carter’s “Vulture and Child” photograph and Danish Siddiqui’s documentation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Carter’s haunting Pulitzer-winning image symbolizes the intersection of survival and despair during times of famine and disease, reflecting the psychological weight of human suffering. Similarly, Siddiqui’s work captures the socio-political inequalities and human cost of the pandemic, serving as a testament to the fractures within society. Both artists, like Eliot, remind us of the importance of preserving memory, however painful, to confront the truth of collective trauma.

Viral Resurrection: Beyond the Biological Impact

Eliot’s depiction of fragmented landscapes and spiritual desolation aligns with the idea of “viral resurrection.” Pandemics do not merely affect the body; they permeate cities, emotions, language, and culture, reshaping entire societies. Eliot’s fevered imagery reflects this all-encompassing transformation, where the trauma of pandemics alters not just individual lives but the fabric of collective existence.

The Flawed Approach to Pandemic Memory

One of the challenges in documenting pandemics is the tendency to reduce them to biological events or statistical analyses. Unlike wars, which often leave behind monuments and shared memories, pandemics are internalized, making them harder to memorialize. Siddiqui’s photographs and Eliot’s fragmented poetry address this gap by capturing the deeper societal, emotional, and psychological impacts of crises, ensuring that these collective experiences are not erased.

The Waste Land as a Testament to Resilience

Through its fragmented structure and haunting resonance, The Waste Land encapsulates the remnants of the 1918 influenza pandemic while also addressing war, spirituality, and personal loss. Eliot’s ability to channel the elusive experiences of collective trauma—whether from the trenches or the sickrooms of a pandemic-stricken world—makes his work a powerful testament to human fragility and resilience.

Conclusion: The Need for Holistic Memory

Reading The Waste Land with pandemics in mind highlights the silencing of illness and the importance of preserving its memory. To truly capture the impact of such crises, we must embrace a more nuanced approach, incorporating art, photography, and poetry to reflect the layered suffering and resilience of individuals and communities. Eliot’s masterpiece reminds us that through proper documentation and reflection, we can confront the specters of pandemics and honor the truths of our shared humanity.

This approach ensures that the haunting realities of pandemics, like the fragments of Eliot’s poetry, remain visible and relevant, providing future generations with a deeper understanding of collective trauma and its enduring afterlife.

References:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "The Waste Land". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Waste-Land. 

DoE-MKBU. “Reading ‘The Waste Land’ Through Pandemic Lens Part 1 | Sem 2 Online Classes | 2021 07 21.” YouTube, 21 July 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pLuqHTNscs.

DoE-MKBU. “Reading Waste Land Through Pandemic Lens - Part 2 | Sem 2 Online Classes | 2021 07 21.” YouTube, 21 July 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWChnMGynp8.

Eliot, T. S. “The Waste Land.” Poetry Foundation, 1922, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47311/the-waste-land.