The Waste Land- Section 2

Part two is titled A Game of Chess. In class, we decided that this section was about the failure of love in marriage on several economic levels. We highlighted the references to love relationships between Cleopatra and her love, man and his hysterical wife, historically thought to be Eliot and his wife, and also about a lower class relationship where a woman aborts her baby. It is clear to see these references. The first couples love relationship seems to be destroyed by the weakness of love, as Cleopatra was unable to control her own desires. The second couple seems to be destroyed by the conflicting desires. It is as though the man’s love isn’t strong enough to make him open up to his wife. This is very interesting to me because Eliot and his wife do stay together and instead of getting upset, we were shown text where she praised his acknowledgement of his silence. The last couple seemed to be torn apart because they didn’t share a similar view of love. While he wanted to have a child to solidify their relationship she apparently thought it would take away from their love.  
 These ideas of failed love say something about what a wasteland is. They show that no matter how much people think an emotion can save them, they will be constantly be wrong. Love is as fickle of emotion as feelings of anger. I also think the weakness of love is coupled with the lack of wisdom. In part three, the mention of characters more concerned with lust are those who seem to understand the failure of love. In Sweeney Todd, the main character begins acting out of scorn after love has disappointed him. In Oedipus’ story, Tiresias is the wise man, aware of life and the lessons Oedipus must learn. This being said, it is fair to assume that he is aware of the failings of love.  
 In Brooks’ essay, he seems to agree with the Cleopatra reference, but not necessarily to prove that love is weak, but instead to show its destructive strength as it destroys an empire. To Brooks, this love becomes something that clouds judgment and logic. I’m not sure what he means by the references to Philomel and the raped woman. Is this about some obsessed love? How love has the power to make people lose control? In Headings’ essay about the structure of it is interesting because he refers to the section as being about failed lust. He looks beyond the idea of love to the idea of lust as being a force in this section. I think this is interesting because in class we decided that the third section was about lust.