"Journey of the Magi"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines T.S. Eliot's poem "Journey of the Magi" and its symbolism that is derived from religious themes. The paper outlines how Eliot depicts the Magi's journey and points out that even those unconcerned with the religious symbolism of the poem can gather insight from the poem's symbolic elements.

From the Paper:

"T.S. Eliot was "unmatched in both reputation and influence among poets writing in English in the twentieth century." The British-American writer and critic is well known in the literary world; in 1948, he was awarded both the Nobel prize for literature and the British Order of Merit (Unger 240). In August 1927, Eliot wrote "Journey of the Magi" when he was commissioned by the publishers Faber and Gwyer to write a Christmas poem that was to be included in a series of greeting cards entitled Ariel Poems (Chiari 105). As he does in many of his works, Eliot uses symbolism heavily all throughout "Journey of the Magi." The poem is of religious subject matter, and much of the symbolism is derived from religious themes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Canary, Robert. T.S. Eliot: The Poet and His Critics. Chicago: American Library Association, 1982.
• Chiari, Joseph. T.S. Eliot: Poet and Dramatist. London: Vision Press, 1972.
• Eliot, T.S. "Journey of the Magi." Literature for Composition. Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al. New York: Harper, 1996. 1231.
• Hargrove, Nancy. Landscape as Symbol in the Poetry of T.S. Eliot. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1978.
• Timmerman, John. "Journey of the Magi." Masterplots II--Poetry Series. Ed. Frank Magill. Pasadena: Salem Press, 1992. 1135-1137.

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