The Waste LandThe Fire Sermon

The Juxtaposition Within

Summary• Description of Thames River– “Dull Canal”

• Mid November– “the last fingers of leaves”

• Alludes to WWI– “they wash their feet in soda water”

Symbols• Thames River

– Represents death• Death by drowning• WWI Battle site

• Rat– Symbolizes the harsh realities of death– Reasserts the “nothing after death” idea

• Elements– Fire

• Life and lust

– Water• Death

Figurative language• Irony- water to death and fire to life• Repetition – “Sweet Thames” “The

nymphs are departed”• Onomatopoeia- “Twit Twit Twit” “Jug Jug

Jug Jug Jug Jug”

Allusions

• Fire Sermon– Buddhas sermon on the fires of lust and other

passions which destroy lunch• Wash Their Feet In Soda Water– WWI reference to Australian troop song

• Teru– Reference to Greek mythology and rape

ThemeThe perceptions of the dualities of

life determine the caliber of your being.

Recurring ideas• Circle

– Lots of the letter O• WWI

– References the Australian troops• Death

– Father and brother died– Rat and bones

• Circle of life– “Departed have left no addresses”– “rattled by the rats foot only”