Biblical References
From The Waste Land Wiki
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"Son of man" is found again in Luke 22:22. Here, Jesus is called the "Son of Man." Luke 22 tells the story of the Last Supper which occured on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Israel. The general location of the Last Supper is shown on the map labeled "Mt. Zion." | "Son of man" is found again in Luke 22:22. Here, Jesus is called the "Son of Man." Luke 22 tells the story of the Last Supper which occured on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Israel. The general location of the Last Supper is shown on the map labeled "Mt. Zion." | ||
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| + | The point of Mt. Zion indicates one thing in particular: its importance as the site of the Last Supper in ''The Waste Land''. During the Last Supper, Jesus predicts that one of his apostles will betray him, despite their reassuring denials of such action. It becomes then a story of betrayal, as Jesus' prediction soon proves accurate. Although Eliot utilizes many religious and philosophical references as ironic allusions to contrast the absence and loss of faith in modern society, this specific allusion instead complements the themes within the poem. | ||
The inclusion of the red rock as a source of shelter references Isaiah: "There is a shadow under this red rock, / Come in under the shadow of this red rock" (ln 25-26). This alludes to a verse in Isaiah that reads, "Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the Lord (Isaiah 2:10). Using context clues from a previous verse in Isaiah (2:3), the approximate location is determined to be somewhere in the Mountains of Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion. | The inclusion of the red rock as a source of shelter references Isaiah: "There is a shadow under this red rock, / Come in under the shadow of this red rock" (ln 25-26). This alludes to a verse in Isaiah that reads, "Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the Lord (Isaiah 2:10). Using context clues from a previous verse in Isaiah (2:3), the approximate location is determined to be somewhere in the Mountains of Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion. | ||
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:the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. | :the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. | ||
| − | Although this quotation does not explicitly say that events necessarily take place in these mountains, Mount Zion maintains its place as a significant location in the bible. The law originating within Mount Zion is another indication of this, and its position within the prominent biblical town of Jerusalem supports this as well. | + | Although this quotation does not explicitly say that events necessarily take place in these mountains, Mount Zion maintains its place as a significant location in the bible. The law originating within Mount Zion is another indication of this, and its position within the prominent biblical town of Jerusalem supports this as well. However, in this context, Mount Zion is not associated with the heavy themes of betrayal as in the Last Supper, but instead signifies the law. Perhaps in Isaiah, when they are instructed to "go into the rocks," the rocks refer to the mountains themselves; they are requested to hide within the laws--or rather, to obey the laws--to avoid the wrath of God. In the context of ''The Waste Land'', this allusion is subtle, but nevertheless means something similar in terms of modern times. The "shadow" refers to the sentiments associated with the post-war world--the helplessness and distress--and calls others to wallow in this feeling of despair. |
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===[["The Fire Sermon" Annotations|The Fire Sermon]]=== | ===[["The Fire Sermon" Annotations|The Fire Sermon]]=== | ||
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These two locations--Brahmayoni Temple and Church of the Beatitudes--are connected by a line on the map to represent their association with one another. This line draws the loose connection between ''The Waste Land'' and the Bible. | These two locations--Brahmayoni Temple and Church of the Beatitudes--are connected by a line on the map to represent their association with one another. This line draws the loose connection between ''The Waste Land'' and the Bible. | ||
| − | These two sermons relate the strong passions and desires prevalent in religion, specifically the temptations, to the emotionally devoid state that prevailed during modern times. The burning passions and righteous blessings | + | These two sermons relate the strong passions and desires prevalent in religion, specifically the temptations, to the emotionally devoid state that prevailed during modern times. The burning passions and righteous blessings preached in Buddha's and Jesus' speech act as ironic fragments within the work. They contrast the feelings of despair, emphasizing the absence of emotion--or the loss of faith and hope--within modern society. |
===[["Death by Water" Annotations|Death by Water]]=== | ===[["Death by Water" Annotations|Death by Water]]=== | ||
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Gentile or Jew | Gentile or Jew | ||
| − | + | O you who turn the wheel and look to windward, | |
| − | O you who turn the wheel and look to windward, | + | |
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Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you. (ln 319-321) | Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you. (ln 319-321) | ||
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:there is no one who does good, | :there is no one who does good, | ||
::not even one.” | ::not even one.” | ||
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| + | These verses reflect the same sentiments found in ''The Waste Land'', talking of a universal hopelessness in any who believe themselves to be righteous. ''The Waste Land'' quote that reads, "Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you," while unrelated to the bible, has some connections to this verse in other ways. It, too, reflects the feeling of hopelessness in regards to inevitable death. A couple stanzas prior to this one outlines his fate: | ||
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| + | Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead, | ||
| + | Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell | ||
| + | And the profit and loss. | ||
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| + | Phlebas, despite whatever virtuous qualities he possessed, meets the same fate as all others. These lines request that others do not get fooled into thinking otherwise, similar to the verses in Roman 3. | ||
===[["What the Thunder Said" Annotations|What the Thunder Said]]=== | ===[["What the Thunder Said" Annotations|What the Thunder Said]]=== | ||
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With a little patience 330 | With a little patience 330 | ||
| − | This scene alludes to John 18:3. Specifically the imagery in this scene is suggestive of the garden of Gethsemane, which can be seen on the map thusly named. In John 18, Jesus is betrayed by Peter and the Jews | + | This scene alludes to John 18:3. Specifically the imagery in this scene is suggestive of the garden of Gethsemane, which can be seen on the map thusly named. In John 18, Jesus is betrayed by Peter and the Jews. The verse that this section alludes to follows: |
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| + | :So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. | ||
| + | :They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. | ||
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| + | Luke 22:44 is another section that is also about the betrayal of Christ. This chapter includes a story about the Last Supper and the betrayal from within the disciples—from Judas himself. Luke 22:44 reads as such: | ||
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| + | :And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. | ||
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| − | + | Again, Eliot utilizes biblical allusions to incorporate this theme of betrayal within his poetry. Although betrayal is not very evident in these lines, he does capture the distress and despair in these lines. | |
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Back to [[Shoring Up Fragments Against Our Ruin: Quotations and Allusions]] | Back to [[Shoring Up Fragments Against Our Ruin: Quotations and Allusions]] | ||
