T. S. Eliot and Shamsur Rahman: An Exposition of Commonness

Abstract

The present study has been conducted to expose the commonness between T. S. Eliot and Shamsur Rahman, two leading modernist poets in their respective language and literature. The objectives of the exposition have been grounded on the areas and nature of commonness; in exploring into the originality of their work; in identifying the level of influence of the former on the later one here; and finally in showing the contribution and potentiality of their work in our life and literature of the present day. In the study only the poetical works of these poets have been used to find out the commonness in their poetry. While conducting the study the present researcher has found some major affinities in the choice of subject matter; use of contemporary social perspectives; in presenting the verse style or the way of versification etc. Some minor affinities have also been found in the case of their personal life likely their education, profession. All these have been presented through six chapters including a concluding one. The first chapter is the Introduction chapter. Here they’re including a short overview on the modernist trend in literature. Here present researcher has described in short, the literature reviewed, and methodology of the research work too. The second chapter entitled “Life and works of T. S. Eliot: towards the components of commonness,” contains life-sketch of T. S. Eliot, academic career of T. S. Eliot, profession and marital life of T. S. Eliot, development of T. S. Eliot’ s poetic thoughts, features of his poetry. The third chapter entitled “Life and works of Shamsur Rahman: towards the components of commonness,” likewise the second chapter describes on Shamsur Rahman. It is divided into some seven sub-chapters including introduction and conclusion. Here Eliot’ s brief life -sketch, his academic life, profession and marital life, development of his poetic thoughts and features of poetry etc, have been described. Chapter four entitled “Poetic Commonness between T. S. Eliot and Shamsur Rahman,” is the main part of the research work. Here the areas of commonness between the two poets have been shown with references throughout several sub - chapters. The present researcher has pointed out various areas of affinities with special importance on the modernist trend in poetry and the position of T. S. Eliot and Shamsur Rahman in their respective language and literature; their appeal and recognition as urban poets among the readers; their way of presenting a world of rootless souls; presenting a psychological dilemma of modem man with his split personality. It also the researcher has highlighted on a world of demythologized posterity, the theme dominating the major part of T. S. Eliot’ s poems and also a vitalized area in Shamsur Rahman’ s poems. Chapter five entitled, “Sharings, Shortcomings and Shaping a world of novelty: Eliot and Rahman,” is designed to expose the commonness in the poetic diction of the two poets; to find out affinities in these areas where Shamsur Rahman has direct or indirect bearing from Eliot. Chapter six is the concluding chapter of the research work where the researcher has summarized the entire theme of the research. Again, the potentiality of the poets for their thinking alike nature like all the great men of the world has been taken into consideration as a greater commonness between the two poets. Finally, an index has been designed and added to this work where the present has presented an annotated bibliography. Shamsur Rahman’ s poetical works included in the three volumes entitled Kabita Samagra -1; Kabita Samagra -2; Kabita Samagra-3 have been presented through transliteration and translation. If there is any Romanisation given in case of book or publishing house’ s name that has been followed accordingly.