Final answer:
T.S. Eliot was born into a Unitarian family but experienced religious transformation, adopting anglo-Catholic beliefs that significantly influenced his literary works.
Step-by-step explanation:
T.S. Eliot's religious beliefs evolved over his lifetime, leading him to embrace anglo-Catholicism within the Church of England after initially being an agnostic.
T.S. Eliot, an influential modernist poet and writer, experienced a significant religious transformation throughout his life. Born into a Unitarian family, his early adult years were marked by a period of agnosticism. However, post-World War I, a period which saw many question the existence of a benevolent deity, Eliot found himself navigating through his own set of religious insecurities and frustrations, themes which are recurrent in his works such as "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and "The Waste Land." It wasn't until the 1920s that Eliot's spiritual journey led him towards a profound religious conversion to anglo-Catholicism, a tradition within the Church of England that embraces catholic heritage.
His newfound faith deeply influenced his later writings, which include "Ash Wednesday" and "The Four Quartets," where he explores his religious beliefs and views on salvation, penance, and the nature of time. Notably, his play 'Murder in the Cathedral' reflects upon martyrdom and the significance of spiritual conviction. Overall, Eliot's commitment to Christianity remained a central aspect of his identity and work, following his conversion.