Page 90 - Konferensiya to'plami - 1 (ASR)

«TA’LIM SIFATINI OSHIRISHDA TILSHUNOSLIK, XORIJIY
TIL VA ADABIYOTINI O‘QITISHNING ZAMONAVIY
METODIK YONDASHUVLARI: MUAMMOLAR,
IMKONIYATLAR VA YECHIMLAR»

THE USE OF METAPHORS AND SYMBOLS IN T.S. ELIOT'S POETRY

Author: Maxmaraximova Manzura
1
Affiliation: Master student of Nordic International University
1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15173167

ANNOTATION

This article examines the use of metaphors and symbols in T.S. Eliot's poetry. The research
analyzes significant symbols in Eliot's works, their meanings, and their role in his poetry. The
article explores the use of metaphors and symbols in works such as "The Waste Land," "The
Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," and "Four Quartets."

Keywords: T.S. Eliot, metaphor, symbol, modernism, "The Waste Land," "Four Quartets,"
poetry analysis.

INTRODUCTION
T.S. Eliot stands as one of the most influential poets of the twentieth century,
whose work revolutionized modern poetry through its innovative use of metaphors
and symbols. Born in 1888 in St. Louis, Missouri, Eliot later became a British citizen,
and his transcultural perspective deeply influenced his poetic vision. His poetry,
characterized by dense allusions, fragmented imagery, and complex symbolism,
reflects the disillusionment and spiritual anxiety of the post-World War I era [1]. This
article examines the intricate system of metaphors and symbols in Eliot's major
works, focusing on how these literary devices contribute to the thematic depth and
artistic significance of his poetry.
Eliot's mastery of metaphor and symbolism emerges from his profound
understanding of literary tradition and his ability to synthesize diverse cultural,
religious, and philosophical references into coherent poetic expressions. His symbols
often function on multiple levels, creating resonances between personal experience,
historical events, and mythical archetypes [2]. The objective of this research is to
analyze the most significant metaphors and symbols in Eliot's poetry, particularly in
"The Waste Land," "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," and "Four Quartets," and to
explore how these elements convey his vision of modern civilization, spiritual quest,
and the human condition.

MAIN BODY
Eliot's "The Waste Land" (1922) represents a watershed moment in modernist
poetry, employing a complex network of symbols to depict the spiritual and cultural
aridity of post-war European civilization. The central metaphor of the wasteland itself
serves as a powerful representation of modern society's spiritual barrenness [3]. This
extended metaphor draws upon the Fisher King myth from Arthurian legend, where
the king's wound correlates with the infertility of his lands. In Eliot's modern context,
this symbolizes the psychological and spiritual wounds of Western civilization
following World War I. 88

I SHO‘BA:

Tilshunoslikning nazariy va amaliy masalalari

https://www.asr-conference.com/