The Wasteland: The Burial of the Dead

Key Themes and Ideas

• April as the Cruelest Month

  • April invokes a sense of cruelty by bringing life from the dead land, mixing memories with desires.
  • Contrasts with winter, which keeps people warm, covering the earth with forgetful snow.

• Summer and Childhood Memories

  • Summer surprises with rain showers and pleasant memories.
  • Recollections of childhood experiences, like sleigh rides with the Archduke, evoke freedom and nostalgia.

• Imagery of Life and Death

  • The poem questions what grows from barren land and broken images.
  • References to harsh environments: dry stones offering no water, sun offering no shelter.

• Symbolic Nature of the Red Rock

  • Red rock provides a shadow, offering a place to hide and experience fear.
  • Represents a contrast to the light of day and the impending evening shadows.

• The Hyacinth Girl

  • A symbolic character who recalls a significant moment in a garden but experiences an existential crisis.
  • Represents a state between life and death, knowing nothing.

Symbolism and Tarot References

• Madam Sosostris, the Clairvoyant

  • Known as the wisest woman, uses a wicked pack of cards to tell fortunes.
  • Cards mentioned include the Drowned Phoenician Sailor and the blank card carried by a one-eyed merchant.

• Unreal City

  • Description of a fog-covered city with crowds moving over London Bridge.
  • The passage reflects on death and the anonymity of the city’s inhabitants.

Notable Characters and Elements

• Stetson, an Acquaintance

  • An encounter with Stetson, who is asked about a corpse planted in his garden and whether it will sprout again.
  • Reference to the cycle of life and death and the impact of external forces like frost.

• Hypocritical Reader

  • The poem ends with an address to the reader as a hypocrite, suggesting introspection and self-awareness.