EnJourMe (English Journal of Merdeka) : Culture, Language, and Teaching of English
Vol 9, No 1 (2024): July 2024

T.S. Eliot and the Malaise of Modernity: An Islamic critique

Md Mahmud Hasan Chowdhury (Pundra University of Science and Technology)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Aug 2024

Abstract

T.S. Eliot, a towering figure in the literary world, casts illuminating beams across the fragmented and spiritually barren modern landscape. This paper thoroughly examines Eliot’s oeuvre on modernity through an Islamic lens. By drawing upon Islam's philosophical and spiritual traditions, this research juxtaposes Eliot’s poetic evaluation and tapestry of Islamic perspectives as an ointment to heal the wounds of modern society. At the core of this inquiry, Islamic concepts such as the acknowledgment of the oneness of God (tawhid), mystical Islamic belief and practice (sufiism), and social solidarity (ummah) challenge Eliot’s perspective on modern sickness. This analysis also delves into Eliot’s poetic tapestry to explore how Eliot weaves a solution to the chaos of the modern era, including the fragmentation of identity, the decay of traditional values, and the existential crisis of humanity. This comparative discussion reveals how Islamic thought offers an alternative framework for comprehending the challenges of modernity. Ultimately, the research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of Eliot’s enduring critiques and the multifaceted Islamic responses to the complexities and disorders of the modern man living under the influence of modern Western civilization.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

enjourme

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Subject

Description

EnJourMe (English Journal of Merdeka) : Culture, Language, and Teaching of English is peer-reviewed journal. Funded in 2016 with registered number ISSN: 2502-5740 (online), provides a forum for the full range of scholarly articles in the field of Culture, Language, and Teaching of English. It is ...