Ash Wednesday

This poem was actually pretty good. I appreciated the religious references in it because it made it so relatable. As I go back and read it again, it really does remind me of a romantic poem. In another class we discussed a quote where someone said “Romanticism is split religion” and I can definitely see that in this text. It is almost like text reaches past romanticism because it doesn’t seem to be the parts of religion that don’t quite fit the mold but is instead a true representation of some type of religion.  
 I’m not sure how I feel about the possible references to Eliot’s personal life because I’ve adopted the idea that he wants to separate the author’s life from the author’s works. I think that because he does closely associate this poem with people shows a change not only spiritually but also literarily. His ability to join his personal life into his works shows that he has in some way changed from being a poet for the people to being someone more focused on his soul.  

 This change is really weird to me. I’m not sure if he was trying really hard to create this which makes me think of Shelley’s “Defense of Poetry” which presents the idea that poetry is often created accidently. If this is the case and if Eliot was trying to create this, then somewhere in his religious quest, he has lost his power as a poet. I think making this argument is powerful because it challenges Eliot’s talent, which is not at all what I want to do.

On another note, I am starting to get annoyed with the part structure of Eliot’s poem. I have a question about why six parts. I guess if you think about the divine Trinity often associated with religion this makes sense.