Thunder says...

The fifth section was the most difficult to understand. The notes indicate that there are three themes employed that consist of a journey, an approach to a deserted chapel, and the decay of eastern Europe. The first section shows the waste land of cities. Eliot mentions great civilizations such as "Jerusalem Athens Alexandria/Vienna London"(375-376) and how they were destroyed then reformed then destroyed again. It seems that no urban life can ever exist in harmony with the rest of the world. It must either flourish at the expense of nature or "crack" or "burst" (373). The journey aspect of the first section consists of a thirsty speaker. He speaks confusingly of rocks, mountains, and water--the repetition of the words blurring their meaning. The journey culminates in the "hooded hordes swarming/Over endless plains" (369-370) after some loud noise is heard. The noise is not admired or stopped and recognized respectfully, it is simply sounded unceremoniously. The second section depicts a chapel that has been abandoned. Chapels are a symbol of sanctity but the decay indicates that society no longer acknowledges such sanctity. The third section speaks of the degeneration of Europe through 3 speakers. The first mentions that modern civilization never gives, it only takes. The only thing we give is the "awful daring of a moment's surrender", a hint at sex. The second speaker also touches on selfishness when he says that each person thinks only of the key that will let him out of his prison. No one pays attention to the lives of others and the "aethereal rumours" (416). The final speaker offers a sense of hope. There may be a way for society to redeem itself if it surrenders to "controlling hands". Eliot uses the theme of regeneration throughout The Waste Land so it is only fitting that he end the poem in this manner. The final scene of the poem comes back to the fisher king. He is unsure of how to manage his lands and the London Bridge lyrics signal a sense of resignation. The non-western words concluding the poem indicate that perhaps regeneration should be sought from new sources. We should not be recreating the same twisted civilizations after they fall.