Final answer:
Fragmentation in T.S. Eliot's 'Preludes' is depicted through fragmented narration and imagery, representing the disconnection of individuals from their environment and each other, which is a characteristic of modernist literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fragmentation in T.S. Eliot's 'Preludes' can be viewed through various lenses such as fragmented narration, the breakdown of society, and the disjointed experiences of individuals. The poem itself is a collection of different vignettes or scenes from urban life, and the narrative shifts from one observer to another, never settling on a singular perspective. This mirrors the fragmented nature of modern life Eliot aims to depict. One aspect of fragmentation in the poem is how the narrator's perspective isolates snapshots of city life, creating a collage of images that depict the disconnection of people from their surroundings and from each other.
Fragments in literature often invite readers to piece together the narrative, akin to assembling a puzzle. This technique prompts an impressionistic understanding, as Eliot pieces together fragmented images and sensations, forcing the reader to actively engage with the text to discern meaning. The resulting effect is a series of poetic snapshots that convey the chaotic and fragmented essence of early 20th-century urban existence.
Throughout 'Preludes,' Eliot uses fragmented imagery to underscore the theme of isolation. People in the poem are seen disjointed from the natural world, from the society in which they live, and from themselves, reflecting a broader sentiment of fragmentation during the early modernist period. This literary choice exemplifies the 'less is more' approach prevalent in modernist literature, creating a depth of understanding through sparse, selective detail.