tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953690364532718935.post1188112195837038808..comments2024-03-10T15:20:30.552-05:00Comments on stmhumanities: My HouseMrs.Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626503384057111894noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953690364532718935.post-74776736207146069822016-02-27T22:57:39.033-06:002016-02-27T22:57:39.033-06:00@Madison... I really like your last comment about ...@Madison... I really like your last comment about how "something that is meant to represent progress can also be such a hazard." I think Eliot was definitely feeling this way while writing the poem. So many things Eliot mentions in The Waste Land are relevant in his modern society due to the fact that they are supposed to improve quality of life one way or another. Two examples I can think of from the poem off the top of my head are: a) the synthetic perfumes--as Ms. Quinet said, the scents were new scientific inventions that people were supposed to love. However, many found them burdensome/overpowering. and b) the multiple references Eliot makes to those "9 to 5" jobs--such jobs are supposed to improve GDP, standard of living, etc. across the economy. However, many times they drain people of their happiness. We can even relate to this concept today. Think of all the new technology--sure it's a great thing and we usually love it, but the truth seems to be that we are becoming too reliant on it. The point I'm really trying to make here is that even though something is supposed to better society, as you said, it can often have the complete opposite effect. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06841998223380983246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953690364532718935.post-51463471485701094332016-02-27T22:44:41.022-06:002016-02-27T22:44:41.022-06:00As I live pretty close to you, Anastasia, I also u...As I live pretty close to you, Anastasia, I also understand the struggle of having to deal with the constant construction Uptown. I drive down Jefferson every day on the way to school, and with all of the construction going on that area gets very backed up. I have gotten caught behind several construction trucks (that move painfully slow down the one lane street) that have caused me to be late to school multiple times. It is weird that something that is meant to represent progress and improve the area can also be such a hazard; as it increases traffic and is a constant unattractive nuisance. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03389415772083322618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953690364532718935.post-75608798553760358892016-02-27T22:08:03.098-06:002016-02-27T22:08:03.098-06:00The construction is also a part of modern life, wh...The construction is also a part of modern life, which Eliot thought was creating a cultural wasteland. At least no churches or historical monuments had to be torn down for it, so Eliot can rest assured without rolling in his grave too much.<br /><br />The connection between the barren construction zone and Mardi Gras also relates to Eliot's imagery of a swamp with no trash left behind from partying - the city workers clean up every year in a speedy manner.Jack Zhenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11637441198074583870noreply@blogger.com