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Modern Poetry: Course Content

ENG 423

Aims & Objectives

Modern poetry marks a departure from early poetry. It is therefore important that students be introduced to this new genre.
To introduce the students with the trend of English poetry in the early twentieth century in respect of subject matter and style.
To develop an understanding about W. B. Yeats’ concept of Irish Nationalism
To help students comprehend T.S. Eliot’s perception of the ills of the modern civilization
To develop an understanding of variations in the themes and techniques of the major Modern Poets

Recommended Reading

The Waste land
Cox, C.B, Arnold P. Hinchliffe (eds). The Waste land (Casebook series).London: Palgrave Macmillan, 1968.
Ash Wednesday and other Poems
Southam, B.C (ed). Prufrock, Gerontion; Ash Wednesday and other Poems (Casebook series).London: Faber &Faber, 1981.
The Design of his Poetry
Drew, Elizabeth. T.S. Eliot: The Design of his Poetry. New York: Scribner, 1949.
The Art of T.S Eliot
Gardener, Helen. The Art of T.S Eliot. London: Faber &Faber, 1980
New Bearings in English Poetry
Leavis, F.R. New Bearings in English Poetry. London: Chatto& Windus, 1955
The Poetry of T.S Eliot
Maxwell. D.E.S. The Poetry of T.S Eliot. London: Routledge, 1961.
His poetry and Thoughts
Stock, A.G.W.B. Yeats: His poetry and Thoughts. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1961.

Course Outline (unit 1 to 2)

UNIT 1

Detailed reading with critical analysis of any 3 of the following poems:
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
The Wild Swans at Coole
When You are Old
The Second Coming
Among School Children
Easter 1916, Sailing to Byzantium
The Tower

UNIT 2

W.B. Yeats as the last Romantic poet
Various phases of Yeats’ poetic career

Recommended Reading

The Lonely Tower
Henn, T.R. The Lonely Tower. London: Metheun, 1952
The Poetry of W. H. Auden
Spears, Monroe K. The Poetry of W. H. Auden. New York: Oxford University Press, 1963.
Replogle, Justin.Auden’s Poetry
Replogle, Justin.Auden’s Poetry. London: Metheun Publishing LTD., 1969.

Course Outline( unit 3 to 8)

UNIT 3

Irish nationalism in Yeats’ poetry
Symbolism
Critique of Modern civilization

UNIT 4

Detailed reading with critical analysis of the following poems:
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
The Waste Land.

UNIT 5

T.S. Eliot as a Modern poet
Eliot’s poetic techniques
Theme of appearance and reality
Historical allusions in The Waste Land

UNIT 6

The Waste Land as a period piece
Significance of the title
Tieresis as a unifying figure in the poem
Themes
Remedies for the modern ills in The Waste Land
Influence of Buddha in The Waste Land

UNIT 7

Detailed reading with critical analysis of any 3 of W. H Auden’s poems:
Paysage Moralise,
Miss Gee
Victor
In Memory of W.B Yeats
The Unknown Citizen
Diaspora
Musee des Beaux Arts

UNIT 8

Difference in the vision of Eliot and Auden
Auden’s contribution as a poet