The Waste Land as Satire

[Thomas Eckhardt]

David Simpson answered:

> If we define satire as literature that seeks to expose and criticize
> human vice and folly and which portrays humans as mostly selfish,
> cowardly, stupid, coarse, and greedy, then The Waste Land obviously
> qualifies. (Less sure about Heart of Darkness, though one could
> probably make a good case.)

"Satire occurs as an incidental element within numerous works whose
overall mode is not satiric - in a certain character or situation, or in
an interpolated passage of ironic commentary on some aspect of the human
condition or of contemporary society. But for many literary
achievements, verse or prose, the attempt to diminish a subject by
ridicule is the primary organizing principle, and these works constitute
the formal *genre* labeled satire." M.H. Abrams. Having browsed
through The Waste Land again, I admit that there are satiric elements to
be found in the poem. Yet, I don't believe satire can be said to be the
"primary organizing principle" of The Waste Land. This is not Sweeney
Erect. The poem might be perceived as diminishing the present in
comparison to the past, but its overall tone to me seems not to be
determined by the few instances which might be said to expose the vices
and follies of the present. 

> Eliot himself clearly considered The Waste Land a satirical poem and
> later characterized it as the bitter expression of "a personal grouse
> against life" and "just a piece of rhythmical grumbling."
>

Hmm, don't think that Eliot guy has really understood "The Waste
Land"...

I am not convinced, but would be sincerely interested in hearing more
about this without having to read the works of criticism Terrance
mentioned - I just don't have the time for that at the moment.

Thanks,
Thomas