'Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar' by Thomas Stearns Eliot

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Tra-la-la-la-la-la-laire--nil nisi divinum stabile
est; caetera fumus--the gondola stopped, the old
palace was there, how charming its grey and pink--
goats and monkeys, with such hair too!--so the
countess passed on until she came through the
little park, where Niobe presented her with a
cabinet, and so departed.


Burbank crossed a little bridge
Descending at a small hotel;
Princess Volupine arrived,
They were together, and he fell.

Defunctive music under sea
Passed seaward with the passing bell
Slowly: the God Hercules
Had left him, that had loved him well.

The horses, under the axletree
Beat up the dawn from Istria
With even feet. Her shuttered barge
Burned on the water all the day.

But this or such was Bleistein's way:
A saggy bending of the knees
And elbows, with the palms turned out,
Chicago Semite Viennese.

A lustreless protrusive eye
Stares from the protozoic slime
At a perspective of Canaletto.
The smoky candle end of time

Declines. On the Rialto once.
The rats are underneath the piles.
The jew is underneath the lot.
Money in furs. The boatman smiles,

Princess Volupine extends
A meagre, blue-nailed, phthisic hand
To climb the waterstair. Lights, lights,
She entertains Sir Ferdinand

Klein. Who clipped the lion's wings
And flea'd his rump and pared his claws?
Thought Burbank, meditating on
Time's ruins, and the seven laws.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar by T.S. Eliot

Thomas Stearns Eliot, one of the most prominent poets of the 20th century, is known for his modernist style and his ability to weave complex themes into his works. One of his most notable poems, "Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar," is a perfect example of his style and skill.

Background of the Poem

The poem was first published in 1920 in Eliot's collection of poems, "Ara Vos Prec," and later in his book "Poems 1909-1925." The poem is a satirical commentary on the affluent and pretentious nature of the upper class during the early 20th century.

Interpretation of the Poem

The poem begins with the description of a scene in a hotel lobby, where Burbank, a famous horticulturist, is reading a tourist guidebook while smoking a cigar. The description of the scene is mundane, but as the poem progresses, Eliot introduces the character of Bleistein, a wealthy businessman, who represents the excesses and decadence of the upper class.

The poem is filled with cultural references, which make it difficult to understand at first glance. Eliot, however, uses these references to create a sense of irony and satire. For instance, Bleistein's name is a reference to the Jewish stereotype of the greedy businessman, and his cigar is symbolic of his wealth and power.

Eliot uses a stream of consciousness technique to explore the thoughts and feelings of Bleistein. The poem is written in the third person, but the thoughts and perspective of Bleistein are conveyed through a series of fragmented and disjointed images. This technique reflects the fragmented and chaotic nature of Bleistein's mind, and the poem as a whole.

As the poem progresses, Eliot introduces more characters, including a chorus of African Americans, who represent the oppressed and marginalized members of society. The contrast between the excesses of Bleistein and the suffering of the African Americans highlights the social and economic inequalities of the time.

Themes in the Poem

• Social Inequality: The poem highlights the social and economic inequalities of the early 20th century. The contrast between the excesses of Bleistein and the suffering of the African Americans highlights the injustices of the time.

• Decadence and Excess: The poem satirizes the excesses and decadence of the upper class during the early 20th century. Bleistein's cigar and ostentatious behavior represent the excesses and pretentiousness of the wealthy.

• Loss of Identity: Eliot explores the fragmentation of Bleistein's identity through a series of disjointed and fragmented images. This fragmentation reflects the loss of identity that can occur when one is consumed by material wealth and excess.

Literary Devices in the Poem

• Imagery: Eliot uses vivid imagery to create a sense of satire and irony. The images of Bleistein's cigar and the African American chorus are used to create a sense of contrast and highlight the social and economic inequalities of the time.

• Stream of Consciousness: The use of stream of consciousness technique reflects the fragmented and chaotic nature of Bleistein's mind, and the poem as a whole.

• Symbolism: The cigar is symbolic of Bleistein's wealth and power, and his ostentatious behavior represents the excesses and pretentiousness of the upper class.

Personal Reflection

As someone who has studied literature for many years, I find Eliot's "Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar" to be a complex and multi-layered poem. The use of stream of consciousness technique and vivid imagery creates a sense of chaos and fragmentation that is reflective of the social and economic inequalities of the time.

Eliot's use of satire and irony is particularly effective in highlighting the excesses and decadence of the upper class, and the contrast between Bleistein and the African American chorus is a powerful commentary on the injustices of the time.

Overall, "Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a testament to Eliot's skill as a poet and his ability to convey complex themes and ideas through his works.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar is a classic poem written by Thomas Stearns Eliot, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. This poem is a part of his collection of poems, Prufrock and Other Observations, which was published in 1917. Eliot's poetry is known for its complexity and depth, and this poem is no exception. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the speaker, who is presumably Eliot himself, describing a man named Bleistein. Bleistein is a wealthy Jewish businessman who is smoking a cigar and walking through the streets of London. The speaker describes him as a "typical Jew" and uses derogatory language to describe his appearance and behavior. The speaker also mentions Burbank, who is a famous horticulturist, and Baedeker, who is a publisher of travel guides. These two names are used to create a contrast between the world of nature and the world of commerce and tourism.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker's use of derogatory language towards Bleistein is a reflection of the anti-Semitic attitudes that were prevalent in society at the time. Eliot himself was not anti-Semitic, but he was aware of the prejudices that existed in society and used them in his poetry to critique them. The use of Burbank and Baedeker also creates a contrast between the natural world and the world of commerce and tourism. This contrast is a recurring theme in Eliot's poetry, and it reflects his belief that modern society has lost touch with nature and the spiritual world.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes Bleistein's behavior in more detail. He mentions that Bleistein is smoking a cigar and walking through the streets of London, surrounded by a group of people. The speaker describes the scene as a "circus" and compares Bleistein to a "clown." This comparison is a reflection of the speaker's contempt for Bleistein and his belief that the world of commerce and tourism is a form of entertainment that distracts people from the important things in life.

The third stanza of the poem is where the imagery becomes more complex. The speaker describes Bleistein's cigar as a "brown fog" that envelops him and his surroundings. This image is a metaphor for the way in which the world of commerce and tourism obscures the natural world and the spiritual world. The speaker also mentions the "yellow smoke" of the fog, which is a reference to the pollution that was prevalent in London at the time. This pollution is another example of how modern society has lost touch with nature and the spiritual world.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes Bleistein's behavior in more detail. He mentions that Bleistein is "talking" and "laughing" and that his behavior is "vulgar." This description is a reflection of the speaker's belief that the world of commerce and tourism is a form of vulgarity that distracts people from the important things in life. The speaker also mentions the "smoke" that surrounds Bleistein, which is a metaphor for the way in which the world of commerce and tourism obscures the natural world and the spiritual world.

In the fifth stanza, the speaker describes Bleistein's behavior in more detail. He mentions that Bleistein is "jewelled" and "perfumed" and that his behavior is "ostentatious." This description is a reflection of the speaker's belief that the world of commerce and tourism is a form of ostentation that distracts people from the important things in life. The speaker also mentions the "smoke" that surrounds Bleistein, which is a metaphor for the way in which the world of commerce and tourism obscures the natural world and the spiritual world.

In the sixth stanza, the speaker describes Bleistein's behavior in more detail. He mentions that Bleistein is "gilded" and "bejewelled" and that his behavior is "insolent." This description is a reflection of the speaker's belief that the world of commerce and tourism is a form of insolence that distracts people from the important things in life. The speaker also mentions the "smoke" that surrounds Bleistein, which is a metaphor for the way in which the world of commerce and tourism obscures the natural world and the spiritual world.

In the seventh stanza, the speaker describes Bleistein's behavior in more detail. He mentions that Bleistein is "flaunting" and "swaggering" and that his behavior is "obscene." This description is a reflection of the speaker's belief that the world of commerce and tourism is a form of obscenity that distracts people from the important things in life. The speaker also mentions the "smoke" that surrounds Bleistein, which is a metaphor for the way in which the world of commerce and tourism obscures the natural world and the spiritual world.

In the eighth stanza, the speaker describes Bleistein's behavior in more detail. He mentions that Bleistein is "juggling" and "jostling" and that his behavior is "grotesque." This description is a reflection of the speaker's belief that the world of commerce and tourism is a form of grotesqueness that distracts people from the important things in life. The speaker also mentions the "smoke" that surrounds Bleistein, which is a metaphor for the way in which the world of commerce and tourism obscures the natural world and the spiritual world.

In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the scene that he has just described. He mentions that the scene is a "vision" and that it is a reflection of the way in which modern society has lost touch with nature and the spiritual world. The speaker also mentions the "smoke" that surrounds Bleistein, which is a metaphor for the way in which the world of commerce and tourism obscures the natural world and the spiritual world. The poem ends with the speaker asking the reader to "look" and "see" the world around them and to reconnect with the natural world and the spiritual world.

In conclusion, Poetry Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of anti-Semitism, the contrast between the natural world and the world of commerce and tourism, and the loss of touch with nature and the spiritual world. Eliot's use of imagery and language is masterful, and the poem is a reflection of his belief that modern society has lost touch with the important things in life. This poem is a classic example of Eliot's poetry, and it is a must-read for anyone who is interested in modernist poetry and the themes that it explores.

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