Literary Criticism, Culture and the Subject of 'English': F.R. Leavis and T.S. Eliot

This book explores the complex relationship between F. R. Leavis and T. S. Eliot, comparing their ideas in literary and cultural criticism and its impact on English Studies as a university subject. It examines how Eliot influenced Leavis' literary criticism, while also exploring the differences in social, cultural, religious, and national thinking that strengthened Leavis' alliance with Lawrence over his relationship with Eliot.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate and multifaceted relationship between F. R. Leavis and T. S. Eliot, exploring their ideas in literary and cultural criticism and its place within the broader context of English Studies as a university subject that emerged in the first half of the twentieth century. Through a meticulous comparison of Leavis's writings on Eliot, as well as his interactions with Lawrence, the study investigates the profound influence Eliot had on Leavis's literary criticism, both positively and negatively. It also examines the significance of Lawrence in relation to Leavis's evolving attitude toward Eliot, highlighting the profound differences in social, cultural, religious, and national thinking that strengthened Leavis's alliance with Lawrence while simultaneously contributing to a strained relationship with Eliot. These differences manifest as dichotomies between nationalism and Europeanism/internationalism, ruralism/organicism, and industrialism/metropolitanism, reflecting the two men's perspectives on literary education and the role of the Classics in the curriculum.

The volume explores how Leavis's complex and conflicting feelings toward a figure whom he greatly admired and owed a significant critical debt, but whose various beliefs and literary affiliations caused him considerable misgiving, ultimately leading to a profound sense of division within himself. Leavis sought to transfer this internal conflict onto Eliot, labeling him as a pathological "case."

In conclusion, this volume offers a comprehensive examination of the intricate relationship between F. R. Leavis and T. S. Eliot, shedding light on their shared intellectual pursuits, divergent perspectives, and the profound impact they had on the development of English Studies as a discipline. Through its detailed analysis, the book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of literary criticism, cultural exchange, and the broader social and intellectual currents of the twentieth century.

Weight: 367g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367552572