Re-Evaluating T. S. Eliot’s Use of Epigraph in Light of Deleuze and Guattari’s Theory of Assemblage

Authors : Onur EKLER

Pages : 49-67

View : 33 | Download : 56

Publication Date : 2023-06-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The function of epigraph in Eliot’s poetry has become the focal point of a perennial debate for a long time. As it is the case, there have been different researches conducted on this inquiry in the scholarly field. Some critics argue that Eliot uses epigraph in homage to the literary tradition. They tend to undervalue the contribution of epigraph in his poetry since they regard its use as obscure and incomprehensible. On the other hand, some other critics consider it as a significant part of his poetry. They argue that Eliot’s poetry would have lost its integrity without epigraph. Although both groups have a fair share in their studies on Eliot’s use of epigraph, this argument still needs further considerations to have more insight into the role of epigraph in Eliot’s poetry. To bridge this gap and to further discuss the complexity of the role of epigraph in Eliot’s poetry, this study traces Eliot’s use of epigraph in light of Deleuze and Guattari’s theory of assemblage, which is expounded in A Thousand Plateaus, the second volume of their book, Capitalism and Schizophrenia insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1980);. Similar to Deleuze-Guattarian assemblage theory, epigraph may function as one of poem’s production components without losing its own integrity. It may function both as a unit of production and a product in itself. As such, it juxtaposes individual and universal aspects of poetry without distorting the poetic harmony. In this context, this article aims to study the role of epigraph in Eliot’s poetry in line with Deleuze-Guattarian assemblage. To theoretically ground the argument, this article firstly explores the nature of Eliot’s poetry, and then elucidates Deleuze-Guattarian assemblage in detail. Lastly, it examines this function of epigraph in some of Eliot’s selected poems.
Keywords : Assemblage, Epigraph, Poetry, Criticism, T S Eliot