Tradition and Individuality, Concept of Depersonalization and Eliot’s mild critique on Postmodernism (4147, Farhan Aslam)

Manto’s Rorschach tests during his stay at a mental asylum revealed that he could not see anything else than sexual deeds and organs in the inkblots. It is no wonder his fiction was a depiction of his inner unconscious or conscious thoughts; that is, revolving around sexuality. Eliot, the author, thinks the same.

Eliot said, “Long ago I studied the ancient Indian languages, and while I was chiefly interested at that time in philosophy, I read a little poetry too, and I know that my poetry shows the influence of Indian thought.”

Eliot, whose essay which emphasizes the separation of art and its artist through the concept of ‘Depersonalization’, himself falls prey to his own philosophy. But with what regards has he denied the un-escapable indulgence of artist into art remains unchallenged. In fact, has gotten worse with the contemporary debates of depersonalization. Let’s start with dissecting each of his claims on depersonalization, moving onto his hints at postmodern thoughts.

Let us first consider the times of Eliot. Forester’s works are cherished by many, still a part of modern academia’s curricula. His most famous work ‘A Passage to India’ revolves around the homosexual relations of its characters. Meanwhile, his own romantic inclinations with  Dr. Ross Masood (grandson of Sir Syed Ahmad) is historically undeniable. Although Forester’s speech at the Union Hall on the admiration of Dr.Masood came much later on. There was no other way Forester could explain his emotions without putting a façade of characters when his opus was written. Eliot fails to explain how such unconscious, or conscious, whether a good artist or a bad one has their merit of weighing merely on depersonalization.

During the contemporary times, the debate has further evolved. Times during which the life’s of literary figures and artists overall is publicized due to paparazzi and social media, leaves no room for a private life; therefore, revealing the political, social, and personal views of such figures. The current consumer of art is one who looks towards the artist beforehand, their views, before consuming their art. Should one consider the views of JK Rowling before reading the Harry Potter series is something which revolves around the debate of depersonalizing.

Secondly, Eliot’s emphasis on tradition goes hand in hand with critiquing postmodernism, which had not been in formation then. According to Eliot, an artist should compare his art with that of tradition, being merely an addition to it. Such a view is directly co-related with the degradation of contemporary art that is the postmodern art. Postmodern art disconcerns itself with the traditional syntax, artists, and art itself. Artists (if they can be called so) such as Hoover, or Zaryoun in the realm of Urdu poetry, distance themselves from the traditional stance of their respective art. Let us take the latter example for instance, through distancing themselves from the greats of their field; Ghaalib, Miir, Daagh, and many others; they have failed to contrast their art with that of the greats. Resulting in a newer form of art, which tries to push itself into a traditional one, degrading the latter one? Eliot’s emphasis on dynamism therefore, is a mild critique on Postmodernism.