'Burbank With A Baedeker: Bleistein With A Cigar' by T.S. Eliot
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Poems1920Tra-la-la-la-la-la-laire--nil nisi divinum stabileest; caetera fumus--the gondola stopped, the oldpalace was there, how charming its grey and pink--goats and monkeys, with such hair too!--so thecountess passed on until she came through thelittle park, where Niobe presented her with acabinet, and so departed.Burbank crossed a little bridgeDescending at a small hotel;
Princess Volupine arrived,They were together, and he fell.Defunctive music under seaPassed seaward with the passing bell
Slowly: the God HerculesHad left him, that had loved him well.The horses, under the axletreeBeat up the dawn from Istria
With even feet. Her shuttered bargeBurned 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 eyeStares from the protozoic slime
At a perspective of Canaletto.The smoky candle end of timeDeclines. On the Rialto once.The rats are underneath the piles.
The jew is underneath the lot.Money in furs. The boatman smiles,Princess Volupine extendsA meagre, blue-nailed, phthisic hand
To climb the waterstair. Lights, lights,She entertains Sir FerdinandKlein. Who clipped the lion's wingsAnd flea'd his rump and pared his claws?
Thought Burbank, meditating onTime's ruins, and the seven laws.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Burbank With A Baedeker: Bleistein With A Cigar" by T.S. Eliot
Introduction
T.S. Eliot's "Burbank With A Baedeker: Bleistein With A Cigar" is a complex and intricate poem that delves into the themes of modernism, fragmentation, and cultural identity. It was originally published in 1919, during the height of the modernist movement, and has since become an important piece of literature that is still studied and analyzed today.
Overview
The poem is composed of six stanzas, each with five lines. The lines are irregular in length and do not conform to any specific rhyme scheme, giving the poem a sense of disjointedness and fragmentation. The poem takes the form of a tour guide, leading the reader through various locations and cultural events. The tour guide is described as "Burbank," while the various cultural events are described through the characters of "Bleistein" and "Mrs. Phlaccus."
Analysis
The poem begins with an introduction of Burbank as the tour guide. The first stanza describes Burbank as being "full of Eastern manners" and "gracious and discreet." These descriptions introduce the reader to the idea that Burbank is a sophisticated and cultured individual who is well-versed in the customs and traditions of the East.
The second stanza introduces the character of Bleistein, who is described as being "a man of wealth and fame" and "a Jew." The use of the term "a Jew" highlights the cultural and religious identity of the character, which is central to the themes of the poem. Bleistein is also described as being "a cultural epicure" and "a cosmopolitan." These descriptions emphasize Bleistein's sophistication and his exposure to various cultures.
The third stanza describes Bleistein's love for art and culture. He is described as being "a man of culture" who "knows the galleries of the Louvre" and "spends his money on the arts." These descriptions highlight Bleistein's appreciation for art and his willingness to invest in it.
The fourth stanza introduces the character of Mrs. Phlaccus, who is described as being "a society woman" with a "cultivated voice." Mrs. Phlaccus is contrasted with the previous characters, as she is described as being "a Philistine" who "does not care for the arts." This contrast highlights the tension between high culture and popular culture, which is a common theme in modernist literature.
The fifth stanza describes the cultural events that Burbank is leading the reader through. These events include a "ballet," a "symphony," and a "play." The use of these events highlights the importance of high culture in the poem and reinforces the tension between high culture and popular culture.
The final stanza describes the aftermath of the cultural events. Burbank is described as being "tired" and "jaded," while Bleistein is described as being "pensive" and "discreet." These descriptions suggest that the cultural events have taken a toll on both characters and have left them feeling disillusioned.
Interpretation
The themes of modernism, fragmentation, and cultural identity are central to the poem. The poem highlights the tension between high culture and popular culture, as well as the fragmentation of cultural identity in the modern world. The use of irregular lines and disjointed imagery reinforces this sense of fragmentation.
The character of Bleistein represents the cultural identity of the Jewish people, which was often marginalized and subjugated in the modern world. The poem highlights the struggle of the Jewish people to maintain their cultural identity in the face of cultural assimilation and marginalization.
The character of Mrs. Phlaccus represents the tension between high culture and popular culture. The poem suggests that popular culture is often at odds with high culture, and that the two are difficult to reconcile.
The use of the tour guide as a narrator reinforces the idea of cultural identity as a journey or a tour. The tour guide represents the cultural identity of the modern world, which is constantly evolving and changing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, T.S. Eliot's "Burbank With A Baedeker: Bleistein With A Cigar" is a complex and intricate poem that delves into the themes of modernism, fragmentation, and cultural identity. The poem highlights the tension between high culture and popular culture, and the struggle of marginalized cultural identities to maintain their cultural identity in the modern world. The use of irregular lines and disjointed imagery reinforces the sense of fragmentation and the constantly evolving nature of cultural identity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Burbank With A Baedeker: Bleistein With A Cigar is a classic poem written by T.S. Eliot that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a prime example of Eliot's unique style of writing, which is characterized by its complexity and depth. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which focuses on a different character. The first part, Poetry Burbank, describes a man who is lost in his own thoughts and is unable to connect with the world around him. The second part, With A Baedeker, introduces the character of Bleistein, a wealthy and powerful man who is obsessed with material possessions. The final part, Cigar, describes the character of a cigar-smoking man who is content with his simple pleasures.
One of the main themes of this poem is the disconnect between individuals and society. Eliot uses the character of Poetry Burbank to illustrate this theme. Burbank is a man who is lost in his own thoughts and is unable to connect with the world around him. He is described as being "lost in the middle of a poem" and "unable to find his way out." This imagery suggests that Burbank is trapped in his own mind and is unable to connect with the world outside of himself.
The character of Bleistein is used to explore the theme of materialism. Bleistein is a wealthy and powerful man who is obsessed with material possessions. He is described as being "rich beyond the dreams of avarice" and "the man who owns the largest block in the city." This imagery suggests that Bleistein's wealth and power have consumed him, and he is unable to see the value in anything that cannot be bought.
The final character, the cigar-smoking man, is used to explore the theme of contentment. Unlike Burbank and Bleistein, the cigar-smoking man is content with his simple pleasures. He is described as being "happy in his little world" and "content with his cigar." This imagery suggests that the cigar-smoking man has found happiness in the simple things in life and is not consumed by material possessions or his own thoughts.
Eliot's use of imagery is another significant aspect of this poem. He uses vivid and descriptive language to create powerful images that help to convey the themes of the poem. For example, in the first part of the poem, Eliot describes Burbank as being "lost in the middle of a poem." This image creates a sense of confusion and disorientation, which helps to convey Burbank's disconnect from the world around him.
In the second part of the poem, Eliot uses imagery to describe Bleistein's obsession with material possessions. He describes Bleistein as being "rich beyond the dreams of avarice" and "the man who owns the largest block in the city." These images create a sense of excess and greed, which helps to convey Bleistein's obsession with material possessions.
In the final part of the poem, Eliot uses imagery to describe the cigar-smoking man's contentment. He describes the man as being "happy in his little world" and "content with his cigar." These images create a sense of peace and contentment, which helps to convey the cigar-smoking man's satisfaction with his simple pleasures.
The structure of the poem is also significant. Eliot uses a three-part structure to explore the themes of the poem. Each part focuses on a different character and helps to convey a different aspect of the poem's themes. The use of this structure creates a sense of progression and development, which helps to keep the reader engaged and interested in the poem.
In conclusion, Poetry Burbank With A Baedeker: Bleistein With A Cigar is a complex and powerful poem that explores the themes of disconnect, materialism, and contentment. Eliot's use of imagery and structure helps to convey these themes in a vivid and engaging way. This poem is a prime example of Eliot's unique style of writing and is a must-read for anyone interested in modernist poetry.
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