"rose incarnate in the ghostly clothes of jazz" invokes a mixture of Christ's rising from the dead and incarnation of God within man with clothing representative of a musical genre the speaker seems to see as dying. The biblical quote from Jesus "Eli, Eli, lamma sabachtani" (Father, Father, why has Thou forsaken Me?) is being used as the voice of a saxophone asking why America has forsaken her (Jazz).

Opening the poem with this statement creates an unsettling and morose picture. "My generation" discloses the lengthy period of time the speaker has witnessed of the mental degradation of his peers. I'm curious to know more about the struggle of addiction during this era, being that the poem mentions being under the influence in several places.

Again, the power of song and connection of the soul (mind, emotion and will) can lead people to tears. Sometimes there are no words to say, or even the desire to articulate verbally, the deep sorrow humans feel. Here, all the listeners of Ma could only bow their heads and cry. She reached into their hearts, feeling what they feel. Her music had the power channel the sentiments of her heart into the hearts of others, moving them in such a way that all they could say is "she jes' gits hold of us dataway".

Where did Ma come "back" from? She was arrested in 1925 for hosting an orgy, but was bailed out by Bessie Smith. Regardless, the place where she "belongs" is on stage where she can "get way inside" her audience and "keep them strong". This short expression captures the power music holds to cultivate, inspire and function as a catalyst for social change. Likewise, the repetition of the pronouns "us", "our", and "we" reveal the deep sense of connection and oneness in the struggle for black Americans. When there is a strong sense of identification--psychologically, emotionally, and culturally--people will travel great lengths to commune together, especially if there is a dire need for significant social revision.

Ma Rainey is entertainment for the happy and the sad. Her performance, regardless of peoples' moods, draws all kinds of visitors from every part of town. She apparently soothes the souls of men, whatever their condition.

Does Long Boy here have a specific meaning? The keys of the piano are "yellow" and not white. Its either really old or stained from cigarette smoke--probably the latter, but possibly both.

The context of this portion is concerning a mythological figure, Phlebas, a sailor who drowned. The ocean picking his bones in whispers creates a vivid and grim picture of the waves picking at his bones ( his flesh has decomposed for only his bones remain). His rising and falling may literally be his body going up and down with the current of the ocean waves, but it may also be figurative for the way he spent his time while he was still alive. Rising and falling on the "tide" of life, he "passed through the stages of his age and youth", apparently in a wasteful manner for he ended up in a whirlpool, unable to escape. Whirlpools are traps, for once you enter into one, its very difficult, if even possible, to get out. There is definitely some allusion here to spirituality here. Possibly a reference to the Christian doctrine of baptism where one's old self is put to death through water to walk in newness of life with Christ. But whether you're a Jew or a Gentile, no none can escape the effect of the wasteland on the human soul.

The epigraph following the tribute to Pound is interesting and provoking (if you know Greek and Latin of course). Eliot is not only hinting at the poem's content from the outset, but he's only doing so for the educated (ironic, because he sort of jabs at the societal gap which resulted from modernization). The reference is to an old Greek story about Sibyl of Cumae who requested immortality from Apollo in exchange for her love to him. She was granted her wish, but it didn't exactly turn out the way she expected. She lived and lived and lived, eventually wishing only to die. She was caged and exhibited at a feast where she was questioned what she wanted: I wish only to die. This "voice" projects a foreboding sense over the poem and prepares us for the doom and gloom to come. Eliot may have felt that society is hanging in a "cage". Have Americans been granted their "wish" for modernity but at an expense? Eliot's description mirrors that of Williams Carlos William's "To Elsie" in that both portray modern society as a wasteland. WCW writes "As if the Earth under our feet were an excrement of some sky and we degraded prisoners destined to hunger until we eat filth".

Have Americans been "raped" and "mutilated" by the deceit of the American dream? Pilomela's rape could be an analogy of how the "modern system" takes advantage of its people. "Brother in law" may denote familial relations and illustrate the closeness, yet not blood tie, between two people (in this case between an individual and society). Because society is not actually "related" to its constituents, this creates a sense of detachment and leaves room for obstructive behavior. The "inviolable voice" of the nightingale seems to portray the cry of society (the downtrodden specifically) and their refusal to be quiet regarding the detachment created by fast paced modernity and those who suffer from it, rather than benefit. This "voice" crying in the desert illustrates the desolation amidst progressive societal advancements. Eliot's poem, and therefore voice, is like the nightingale filling the desert/wasteland. .jpg)

Interesting imagery here. Under what kind of tent did the river exist/dwell?

This phrase is often used in the Bible. Is Eliot implying something specific in relation to God? Is his referencing man in general, or perhaps Jesus as the Son of man?

Another paradox here with one of the four seasons. Winter keeps us cold. Does the speaker find warmth (i.e. comfort) in the "dark" and cold things of Winter?

This contradictory phrase immediately commands our attention. What does Eliot want to convey or twist by asserting that the month affiliated with new life and productivity is the cruelest?

The context of this portion is concerning a mythological figure, Phlebas, a sailor who drowned. The ocean picking his bones in whispers creates a vivid and grim picture of the waves picking at his bones ( his flesh has decomposed for only his bones remain). His rising and falling may literally be his body going up and down with the current of the ocean waves, but it may also be figurative for the way he spent his time while he was still alive. Rising and falling on the "tide" of life, he "passed through the stages of his age and youth", apparently in a wasteful manner for he ended up in a whirlpool, unable to escape. Whirlpools are traps, for once you enter into one, its very difficult, if even possible, to get out. There is definitely some allusion here to spirituality here. Possibly a reference to the Christian doctrine of baptism where one's old self is put to death through water to walk in newness of life with Christ. But whether you're a Jew or a Gentile, no none can escape the effect of the wasteland on the human soul.

The epigraph following the tribute to Pound is interesting and provoking (if you know Greek and Latin, of course). Eliot is not only hinting at the poem's content from the outset, but he's only doing so for the educated (ironic, because he sort of jabs at the societal gap which resulted from modernization). The reference is to an old Greek story about Sibyl of Cumae who requested immortality from Apollo in exchange for her love to him. She was granted her wish, but it didn't exactly turn out the way she expected. She lived and lived and lived, eventually wishing only to die. She was caged and exhibited at a feast where she was questioned what she wanted: I wish only to die. This "voice" projects a foreboding sense over the poem and prepares us for the doom and gloom to come. Eliot may have felt that society is hanging in a "cage". Have Americans been granted their "wish" for modernity but at an expense? Eliot's description mirrors that of Williams Carlos Williams’ "To Elsie" in that both portray modern society as a wasteland. WCW writes "As if the Earth under our feet were an excrement of some sky and we degraded prisoners destined to hunger until we eat filth".

Succumbing without emotion seems to illustrate the dire state of the psyche and soul of the young slatterns as a result of the rapidly shifting advancements of modernity. "Numbed terror" paints an uncomfortable picture of the reality for the poverty stricken slatterns.

According to the speaker, the society he is living in seems to be under an oppressive rule. For only in tiny fragments (isolate flecks), is something of worth and value experienced or received by the lower echelon. This image captures the stark contrast between either end of monetary rank in society.

The imagination straining follows the line/theme of degradation throughout the poem. One's imagination should be lively and vivid, yet the societal conditions have apparently stunted it from thriving and productivity. There is still some attempt however, for "straining" still exhibits some effort being exerted.

What is "that" in reference to here? Likewise, the passing there". Is he comparing one pass through the road not taken to the one often tread as being equivalent?

He is discussing with himself the repetition of the harvest moon but states there may not be another, or many more. There will always be another harvest moon (literally), so his reference here is figurative, perhaps of his waning human life.

These lines threw me off at first but apparently "the bird is on the wing" is a line in a poem by Rubayyat which states : The Bird of time has but little time to fly and lo, the Bird is on the wing! Mr. Flood is familiar with poetry so he may have once been interested in reading and/or writing it. But now, he is drinking to poetry. His being alone and talking to himself isn't too suspicious or strange, but after we realize he is drinking, this makes him a little less credible.

These lines reveal that Mr. Flood is leaving, as well as reflecting on, his home town. His pausing warily (watchfully and with caution) implies he doesn't want to be seen and wants to be alone. At

The forsaken upland hermitage is interesting. Why is it forsaken and by whom? Mr. Flood? the townsmen? God? Was he once a hermit?

There is an obvious attempt by her husband to crush/diminish the desire in his wife to write. Stimulation, is suppressed by the cloak of "bed rest" and there repeatedly seems to be an excuse for her to refrain from the "excitement" of outside influence.

Uhhh...nursery and gymnasium or torture chamber?

We have yet to be informed of what exactly is strange about the house, but the fact that she can "feel" it, is perhaps an example of a disruptive and sublime force. However, in this case, the disruption seems to be harrowingly negative. Does she feel it physically, emotionally, or psychologically?

side note: women were often depicted as "hysterical" during this period of time. The word choice here attributes unreliable, or at least unstable characteristics to the speaker, making her appear emotional and possibly irrational.

side note: women were often depicted as "hysterical" during this period of time. The word choice here attributes unreliable, or at least unstable characteristics to the speaker, making her appear emotional and possibly irrational.

side note: women were often depicted as "hysterical" during this period of time. The word choice here attributes unreliable, or at least unstable characteristics to the speaker, making her appear emotional and possibly irrational.

This comment by the speaker already indicates confinement and foreshadows its intensification through her discreetness. From the outset, we get the impression that there is a chasm or "veil" of some kind between her and her husband; he is the intelligent physician and she, the needy wife. Her confession that writing relieves her mind informs us that she is quite troubled and apparently has no other outlet.

This speaks a lot to me about the author's character, for while the problem of racial separation and discrimination existed in America, he acknowledged that the country still had something valuable to offer. Likewise, he would not give up his racial and ethnic heritage out of shame or for approval, because he is certain that it also has something of weight to share with America. We can thus see his genuine attempt to find a place in society for black Americans.

Previous inventors, explorers, and scientists have always been seen as trouble makers and "fools" when initially proposing ideas that went against the long standing status quo. Adams foresees the same occurring with the rise of scientific advancements. Eventually, all the "heretical" theories were accepted and became the new status quo.

Stanza four "From 'Bow Down' come 'Rise Up'" may indicate that after years of being trampled and oppressed, eventually the industry workers will rise up against their oppressors.

The last line of the poem is the only place we see "they feed the Lion". This encapsulates the essence of the poem, in which all the preceding stanzas illustrate how the Lion is fed and grows. Through trial and hardship it has become strengthened to do what lions do: kill. Therefore, "he comes" sounds like an ominous warning that "they Lion" is now ready to hunt.

I find the fourth line from stanza 3 interesting "from the ferocity of pig driven to holiness". It sounds like a butcher speaking of day to day work in the slaughter house. Or perhaps it is the speaker's experience (metaphorically) of being "slaughtered" by the labor of industrial work. Either way, the mention of holiness is odd. In the Old Testament, pigs were considered to be unclean or unholy creatures which were to be abstained from. Perhaps there is a hint of mockery toward religion.

I find the fourth line from stanza 3 interesting "from the ferocity of pig driven to holiness". It sounds like a butcher speaking of day to day work in the slaughter house. Or perhaps it is the speaker's experience (metaphorically) of being "slaughtered" by the labor of industrial work. Either way, the mention of holiness is odd. In the Old Testament, pigs were considered to be unclean or unholy creatures which were to be abstained from. Perhaps there is a hint of mockery toward religion.