| | 1 | Author: | Eliot, T. S. | Add | | | Title: | The Possibility of a Poetic Drama  | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | THE questions—why there is no poetic drama to-day, how the stage
has lost all hold on literary art, why so many poetic plays are
written which can only be read, and read, if at all, without
pleasure—have become insipid, almost academic. The usual
conclusion is either that "conditions" are too much for us, or that
we really prefer other types of literature, or simply that we are
uninspired. As for the last alternative, it is not to be
entertained; as for the second, what type do we prefer? and as for
the first, no one has ever shown me "conditions" except of the most
superficial. The reasons for raising the question again are first
that the majority, perhaps, certainly a large number, of poets
hanker for the stage; and second, that a not negligible public
appears to want verse plays. Surely here is some legitimate
craving, not restricted to a few persons, which only the verse play
can satisfy. And surely the critical attitude is to attempt to
analyse the conditions and the other data. If there comes to light
some conclusive obstacle, the investigation should at least help us
to turn our thoughts to more profitable pursuits; and if there is
not we may hope to arrive eventually at a statement of conditions
which might be altered. Possibly we shall find that our incapacity
has a deeper source: the arts have flourished at times when there
was no drama; possibly we are incompetent altogether; in that case
the stage will be not the seat, but at all events a symptom, of the
malady. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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