Gerontion Case

Gerontion

The title, meaning little old man, ties in with the theme of an old man pondering about life and death. He observes the world, and seems dissatisfied with it. Written two years after the end of WW1, there is questions of meaning, and an overall sense of hopelessness and negativity.

Religion is a recurring theme in this poem; however the reader comes across as an agnostic man, as he has not found any solace in God. "My house is a decayed house", suggests the decay of not only his ageing body but his spirit as well, which religion is unable to heal. The reader then goes on to explore other avenues where people search for meaning and answers, such as Madame de Tornquist who is a séance. He reflects on how people who do not have a strong sense of what that believe in can be easily swayed by these things; "vacant shuttles weave the wind". People who visit séances are often concerned with the future, which is what Elliot was attempting to highlight, particularly how people are so desperate for meaning in their lives that they go in search anywhere that they can find it whether that be in religion or the supernatural.

Throughout the poem there is an imperative voice which repeatedly urges to audience to "think now". He is extremely concerned with deep thinking as he values the human mind. Gerontion works on two levels, it speaks about an individual and about humanity. Furthermore it symbolizes not only the destruction in one's life, but also the destruction that can be found in one's society. After questioning faith and pondering the afterlife, ultimately the poem ends with the reader's death.