The Lost Generation was characterized by a sense of hopelessness and confusion in the midst of World War I. Many of the literature produced during this time often had a nostalgic tone to it, and once the war was over, the changing of gender roles. One of the more prominent poets during this time was T.S. Eliot.

T.S. Eliot was born to a family of eight, though he was the only surviving child. Growing up with a congenital hernia, he couldn’t participate in many social activities and thus turned to reading to pass the time. Inevitably, it became his passion, escaping into wild adventures while distracting himself from the hardships of life. When he turned fourteen, he started writing poetry. Once he graduated, he attended Milton Academy before moving on to Harvard to attain a bachelors in history, as well as a masters in literature. He went on to Oxford to study, and during this time, he grew disillusioned with the college towns. He became acquainted with the literary giants of the time, such as Ezra Pound who was instrumental in beginning Eliot’s literary career. When he came back to Harvard, he completed a doctorate in philosophy, though he didn’t return to the exam.

Eventually, Eliot became a teacher at various high schools and taught Latin and French. He earned more money by teaching evening courses at Oxford and University College London. When he went to Paris, he met James Joyce, with whom Eliot became friends. He managed to attain British citizenship, where he separated from his wife. After that, Harvard offered him a professorship and he returned. He died on January 4th, 1965 in Kensington, where his ashes were spread through St. Michael and All Angels’ Church.

Despite his reputation as a poet, Eliot didn’t publish much. One of his more prominent poems was The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, which follows the story of a man who lamented the fact that his love didn't return his affections. The poem was inspired by Dante, as well as other works such as Hamlet. Another poem that drew major attention was The Waste Land. There were many circumstances surrounding this poem; his marriage was falling apart, and he was diagnosed with a nervous disorder. As such, this poem represents the disillusionment of the generation after World War I. The poem’s tone keeps changing from serious to sarcasm and differs in setting from time to time. The Nadir, on the other hand, clarifies the despair that was shown in The Waste Land. It was in this poem that the iconic line was stated: “This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper.”

T.S. Eliot was a poet that carved his way into the annals of literature. His work in literary criticism paved the way for modern literary scholarship. He contributed to the fields of art and academics and is often remembered for his philosophical musings during World War I. Today, T.S. Eliot’s work is being studied in many classrooms, and continues to be admired.