Essays Ancient And Modern Signed And Inscribed By T S Eliot To V A Demant

Author: T S Eliot
Price: £1995
Publisher: Harcourt Brace, USA
Publication Date: 1936
Edition: First US edition
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrapper
Condition: Very good in very good dustwrapper

Condition:

Binding nice and tight with very sunning and rubbing to the edges and minor dustiness to the top edge. Pages nice and clean with slight age-toning which is mainly confined to the endpapers. A very good, tight, clean copy in very good, nicked, chipped and rubbed dustwrapper which is a little sunned to the spine. An important association copy, wonderfully inscribed to his friend. Very scarce thus.

Description:

A signed and inscribed copy of this early collection of essays: ‘To V.A. Demant, With the author’s homage, T. S. Eliot, 10.i.38’. Eliot acknowledges the Reverend Demant on the first page of his preface, as one who arranged a series of addresses given by him in 1934. Eliot and Demant knew each other well and became friends. They were fellow members of ‘The Moot’, a discussion group formed in the 1930s. Eliot wrote this of Demant in 1940: ‘My friend the Reverend V. A. Demant, whom I have been associated with intellectually for some years, has been recommended by the Bishop of Bath and Wells for a vacant canonry at Westminster. Demant is, in my opinion, one of the most brilliant, or perhaps the most brilliant, of the younger theologians in England, and I also consider him thoroughly sound both in theology and politics. His book, The Religious Prospect, was one of the very few important books of last year. He is a very conscientious parish priest, with a large straggling parish in Richmond, and if he is to make the most of his gifts and do what he should do for Anglican theology in the future, he ought to be freed from this routine.’

The Moot: A Short Description

T.S. Eliot and V.A. Demant were both influential figures in the intellectual and religious life of 20th-century Britain, and they shared a common interest in the intersection of religion, culture, and society. Their association primarily revolved around their involvement in discussions about the role of Christianity in the modern world, particularly through their participation in the Moot — an influential discussion group that explored the ethical and social responsibilities of Christianity in the context of modern challenges.

The Moot was founded in the late 1930s by J.H. Oldham, a Scottish missionary and ecumenist, and it brought together some of the leading Christian intellectuals of the time. The group was formed against the backdrop of rising totalitarianism, war, and social upheaval, and its members were concerned with how Christian thought could address the crises of modernity.

T.S. Eliot, already a well-known poet and essayist by this time, was a key member of the Moot. His writings, such as “The Idea of a Christian Society” (1939), reflect the kind of concerns that were central to the Moot’s discussions—how Christianity could provide a moral and spiritual foundation for a society that was increasingly secular and fragmented.

V.A. Demant was another significant figure in the Moot. As a theologian and social critic, Demant’s work focused on applying Christian ethics to social issues, particularly those related to economic justice and political governance. His views often aligned with the idea that the Church should play an active role in guiding society’s moral compass, especially in times of social and political crisis.

Shared Concerns and Influence

Both Eliot and Demant were deeply concerned with the decline of religious influence in Western society and the rise of secularism. They believed that without a strong spiritual and ethical foundation, society risked falling into moral relativism and chaos.

• T.S. Eliot’s Perspective: Eliot’s writings, including his essays and poetry, often reflected his belief in the necessity of a Christian cultural foundation. He saw the potential for a revival of Christian values as essential to counteracting the fragmentation and alienation of modern life. His works like “The Waste Land” and “Four Quartets” explore themes of spiritual desolation and the search for meaning in a world that seemed increasingly disconnected from its religious roots.
• V.A. Demant’s Perspective: Demant, on the other hand, was more focused on the practical application of Christian principles to social and economic policies. He was a Christian Socialist who believed in the importance of aligning society’s structures—economic, political, and social—with Christian ethics. Demant’s work, including “Christian Polity” and “God, Man and Society,” argued for a society where Christian teachings were integral to addressing social injustice and creating a more equitable world.

Impact and Legacy

The relationship between Eliot and Demant, as part of the broader intellectual milieu of the Moot, reflects a shared commitment to the idea that Christianity had an essential role to play in shaping the future of Western civilization. While their approaches were different—Eliot more focused on cultural and literary expressions of Christian thought, and Demant on social and ethical applications—they both contributed significantly to the discourse on religion’s place in a modern, increasingly secular world.

Their work has left a lasting legacy in both religious and literary circles, influencing subsequent generations of thinkers who grapple with the role of faith in public life. The Moot itself, though relatively short-lived, remains a significant example of how interdisciplinary discussions can address the pressing moral and spiritual questions of an era.

T. S. Eliot: A Short Biography

T.S. Eliot (Thomas Stearns Eliot, 1888–1965) was a renowned poet, essayist, playwright, and literary critic, considered one of the most important and influential writers of the 20th century. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Eliot later moved to the United Kingdom, where he became a naturalised British citizen in 1927. His works are known for their modernist style, complex themes, and exploration of spirituality, culture, and human experience.

Early Life and Education

T.S. Eliot was born on September 26, 1888, into a prominent family in St. Louis. His father, Henry Ware Eliot, was a successful businessman, and his mother, Charlotte Champe Stearns, was a poet and social worker. Eliot’s family had deep roots in New England, and their intellectual and religious values greatly influenced his early life.

Eliot attended Harvard University, where he studied philosophy and literature. He continued his studies at the Sorbonne in Paris and later at Merton College, Oxford. During this time, he became deeply immersed in literature, philosophy, and languages, which would heavily influence his later work.

Major Works and Themes

1. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (1915)

This poem, published in Poetry magazine, is one of Eliot’s most famous early works. It is considered a landmark of modernist poetry, introducing readers to a new style characterized by fragmented narrative, stream-of-consciousness technique, and allusions to various literary and cultural sources. The poem reflects the inner turmoil and indecision of its protagonist, J. Alfred Prufrock, capturing the disillusionment and alienation of modern life.

2. “The Waste Land” (1922)

“The Waste Land” is perhaps Eliot’s most famous poem and a cornerstone of modernist literature. Published in 1922, the poem is a complex, allusive work that draws on a wide range of literary, religious, and cultural references. It reflects the disillusionment and despair of post-World War I Europe, exploring themes of decay, fragmentation, and the search for meaning in a desolate world. The poem’s structure is deliberately disjointed, mirroring the chaotic state of contemporary society.

3. “The Hollow Men” (1925)

This poem further explores themes of despair and spiritual desolation. Famous for its closing lines, “This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper,” the poem captures a sense of existential emptiness and the failure of modern humanity to find purpose or redemption.

4. “Ash Wednesday” (1930)

“Ash Wednesday” marks a turning point in Eliot’s work, reflecting his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. The poem is more meditative and spiritual than his earlier works, dealing with themes of faith, redemption, and the struggle between spiritual renewal and the temptations of the world.

5. “Four Quartets” (1943)

“Four Quartets” is a set of four linked poems (“Burnt Norton,” “East Coker,” “The Dry Salvages,” and “Little Gidding”) that represent the culmination of Eliot’s poetic and philosophical thought. The poems explore complex themes such as time, memory, and spirituality, reflecting Eliot’s deepening religious faith and his interest in mysticism and the cyclical nature of history. “Four Quartets” is often considered Eliot’s masterpiece, showcasing his mature style and profound insights into the human condition.

Playwriting and Other Works

In addition to his poetry, Eliot was a successful playwright. His plays, such as “Murder in the Cathedral” (1935) and “The Cocktail Party” (1949), often dealt with religious and philosophical themes. “Murder in the Cathedral,” for example, dramatizes the martyrdom of Thomas Becket and reflects Eliot’s interest in the tension between spiritual authority and temporal power.

Eliot was also a prolific essayist and critic, with influential works such as “Tradition and the Individual Talent” (1919) and “The Sacred Wood” (1920), where he discussed literary theory, criticism, and the importance of the literary tradition in shaping contemporary literature.

Personal Life and Legacy

Eliot’s personal life was marked by struggles with mental health, particularly during his early years. His first marriage to Vivienne Haigh-Wood was troubled and ended in separation. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism and his adoption of British citizenship were significant personal milestones that influenced much of his later work.

In 1948, Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognizing his outstanding contribution to modern poetry. His influence on 20th-century literature is profound, with his work shaping the course of modernist literature and continuing to resonate with readers and writers today.

T.S. Eliot died on January 4, 1965, in London. He is remembered as a towering figure in English literature, whose works continue to be studied and celebrated for their intellectual depth, stylistic innovation, and exploration of the complexities of the modern world.

V. A. Demant: A Short Biography

V.A. Demant (Vincent Albert Demant, 1893–1983) was a significant British Anglican priest, theologian, and social critic, known for his contributions to Christian social thought and his involvement with the Christian Socialism movement in the 20th century. He was also influential in the development of Anglican social ethics and was a member of the “Anglican left” during his time.

Early Life and Education

Vincent Albert Demant was born in 1893. His early education was somewhat unconventional, and he initially pursued a career in education before his ordination as an Anglican priest. He studied theology and was deeply influenced by the social issues of his time, particularly the conditions of the working class and the role of the Church in addressing social injustices.

Career and Influence

Demant became a key figure in the Christian Socialist movement, which sought to address social and economic issues through the application of Christian principles. He believed that Christianity had a crucial role to play in shaping a just society and was critical of both unfettered capitalism and totalitarianism. His work often reflected a concern for the moral and spiritual implications of social and economic systems.

Demant’s theological work was closely tied to his social concerns. He was a proponent of the idea that Christian ethics should directly inform social policy, and he was involved in various movements and discussions that sought to align the Church more closely with social justice causes.

Notable Works

One of Demant’s most significant contributions was his involvement in the Moot, a discussion group formed in the 1930s by J.H. Oldham. The Moot brought together leading intellectuals and theologians to discuss the role of Christianity in the modern world, particularly in the context of the social and political upheavals of the time. Members of the group included prominent thinkers like T.S. Eliot, Karl Mannheim, and John Baillie.

In his writings, Demant often addressed the moral and spiritual dimensions of social and economic issues. His works reflect a deep concern with the ways in which modern society could uphold or undermine human dignity and the common good.

Some of his notable works include:

• “The Religious Prospect” (1939): In this book, Demant explored the challenges that modern secularism posed to religious belief and the ways in which Christianity could respond to the moral crises of the time.
• “Christian Polity” (1942): This work delves into the relationship between Christian principles and social order, arguing for a Christian approach to governance and societal organization.
• “God, Man and Society” (1947): In this book, Demant examined the interaction between theology and social theory, proposing that Christian theology should engage with and inform social structures.

Later Life and Legacy

Demant held several important positions within the Church of England, including being the Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral. His influence extended beyond the Church into broader intellectual and social circles, where he was respected as a thinker who sought to apply Christian teachings to the pressing social issues of his time.

V.A. Demant is remembered for his commitment to integrating Christian faith with social justice, his intellectual contributions to Anglican thought, and his influence on Christian socialism in the 20th century. His work continues to be relevant in discussions about the role of religion in public life and the ethical foundations of social and economic systems. Demant passed away in 1983, leaving behind a legacy as a theologian deeply engaged with the social issues of his time.

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