Question

Here is your goal for this assignment:

Demonstrate comprehension of expository writing

Using a dictionary and the methods outlined in section 1 of the preceding lesson, read the following passage taken from T.S. Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent" and fill out the worksheet:
In a peculiar sense he will be aware also that [the poet] must inevitably be judged by the standards of the past. I say judged, not amputated, by them; not judged to be as good as, or worse or better than, the dead; and certainly not judged by the canons of dead critics. It is a judgment, a comparison, in which two things are measured by each other. To conform merely would be for the new work not really to conform at all; it would not be new, and would therefore not be a work of art. And we do not quite say that the new is more valuable because it fits in; but its fitting in is a test of its value–a test, it is true, which can only be slowly and cautiously applied, for we are none of us infallible judges of conformity. We say: it appears to conform, and is perhaps individual, or it appears individual, and may conform; but we are hardly likely to find that it is one and not the other.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Using a dictionary, context clues, or a priori knowledge, define the following terms (in the sense that Eliot is using them):
peculiar
inevitably
canon
infallible
conform
According to Eliot, is a work of art that conforms completely really a work of art? Type the sentence in which this information is found.
According to Eliot, should contemporary works of art be judged as “better” or “worse” than past ones? Type the sentence in which this information is found.
Using a dictionary and the methods described at the beginning of the “Advanced Reading Skills” lesson, provide a “translation” of Eliot’s paragraph.

Answer 1

Main idea of the paragraph: The poet must be aware that they will be judged by the standards of the past, but this judgment should not restrict their creativity or make their work conform completely.

Definitions:

- Peculiar: In this context, it means unique or distinct.

- Inevitably: In this context, it means unavoidably or necessarily.

- Canon: In this context, it refers to the accepted principles or rules in a particular field, such as literature or art.

- Infallible: In this context, it means incapable of making mistakes or being wrong.

- Conform: In this context, it means to comply or adhere to established standards or expectations.

According to Eliot, a work of art that conforms completely is not really a work of art. The sentence that conveys this information is: "To conform merely would be for the new work not really to conform at all; it would not be new, and would therefore not be a work of art."

According to Eliot, contemporary works of art should not be judged as "better" or "worse" than past ones. The sentence that conveys this information is: "I say judged, not amputated, by them; not judged to be as good as, or worse or better than, the dead; and certainly not judged by the canons of dead critics."

Translation of Eliot's paragraph: The poet must understand that their work will inevitably be evaluated based on past standards. However, this evaluation should not restrict or completely conform to those standards. Merely conforming would prevent the new work from being truly innovative and artistic. Instead, the value of the new work lies in its ability to fit in with the past while also displaying individuality. This judgment of conformity and individuality is not an easy task, as we are fallible judges. We can only say that the work appears to conform or appear individual, but it is unlikely to be exclusively one or the other.

Step-by-step explanation: