I really enjoyed watching the film clips and documentaries in class because I think it really helped me understand his poetry. Although, I'm torn on his motives between he and his wife. I do not doubt that he didn't love his wife but I feel as if he just "dismissed" her out of his life. He didn't stay to take care of her. Yes, she had her issues but if they were dealt with the correct way I'm not sure it would have ended the way it did. It bothers me that he just ran away and didn't help her. I understand that it was probably very difficult for him but still.. running away doesn't solve anything. And, as a side note, people knew nothing of mental illnesses back then and the medicine she was prescribed was just a bunch of alcohol. But, because of the mess he was through and because he didn't receive any care as well, I sort of get his poetry know - or at least why it was all over the place. It reflected his personal life, in a sense, as it did with society.
I enjoyed reading "Journey of the Magi." I felt this poem was about alienation from the rest of society as the magi was an insider looking out (and feeling alone). All of the magi realized that the birth of this child was about to change things but it did not affect them in anyway. They saw the journey to the infant as burdensome and pointless. What were they journeying for? Nothing, it seems. The speaker, the magi, was doing nothing but complaining. I feel like this reflects Eliot's own personal struggles with his wife because he felt their marriage, towards the end, nothing but burdensome - hence his runaway action.
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