from The Waste Land II. A Game of Chess

Summary

"A Game of Chess" is the second section of T.S. Eliot's long poem "The Waste Land." This section contrasts two distinct scenes to highlight themes of decay, disconnection, and the breakdown of communication in modern society.

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First Scene: The Opulent Room

The poem opens with a description of a lavish, ornate room filled with rich imagery. A woman sits in this opulent setting, surrounded by luxurious objects such as a burnished throne-like chair and a table with standards wrought with fruited vines. The room is filled with glittering jewels and elaborate furnishings, reflecting a sense of wealth and grandeur. Despite this luxurious environment, the woman is deeply troubled and anxious. She repeatedly asks her companion to stay with her and speak to her, indicating her desperation for connection and communication. This scene emphasizes the emptiness and isolation that can exist even amidst wealth and beauty.

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Key Events in the First Scene:

• The woman's opulent surroundings are described in great detail, highlighting her wealth.
• Despite the luxury, the woman is anxious and desperate for meaningful conversation.
• She repeatedly asks her companion why he never speaks, reflecting her sense of loneliness and isolation.

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Second Scene: The Pub Conversation

The poem then shifts to a mundane conversation in a pub between two women, who discuss personal issues and the state of their lives. The tone here is casual and colloquial, starkly contrasting with the formality of the first scene. One woman, Lil, is being advised by her friend about her appearance and her marriage. The conversation reveals the harsh realities of their lives, including concerns about physical appearance, relationships, and survival. The repetitive phrase "HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME," spoken by the bartender, punctuates the scene, adding a sense of urgency and monotony.

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Key Events in the Second Scene:

• Two women engage in a casual conversation in a pub, discussing personal and domestic issues.
• Lil is advised to improve her appearance to keep her husband's interest.
• The dialogue reflects the disillusionment and trivial concerns of their daily lives.
• The bartender's repeated phrase adds a sense of urgency and routine to their lives.

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Overall Summary:

The first part of "A Game of Chess" presents a scene of opulence and luxury, contrasting sharply with the emotional emptiness of the woman in the room. The second part shifts to a more mundane setting, where two women discuss their personal lives in a pub. Both scenes highlight themes of disconnection, communication breakdown, and the superficiality of modern life. Despite the different settings, both parts of the poem reflect a sense of disillusionment and the struggles of finding meaning and connection in a fragmented world.

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Themes Analysis

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Decay and Disillusionment

Quote: "The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."

The theme of decay and disillusionment is central to "A Game of Chess." The description of the woman sitting in a luxurious, throne-like chair in an opulent room creates an image of grandeur and wealth. However, this opulence contrasts sharply with the underlying sense of decay and emptiness. The woman's emotional turmoil and desperation for communication reveal the hollowness beneath the surface of glamour. This disparity highlights the disillusionment with appearances and the decay of genuine human connections in modern society.

Throughout the poem, the grandeur of the setting is undercut by the woman's anxiety and the lack of meaningful interaction. The opulent imagery emphasizes the façade of wealth and beauty, while the emotional emptiness of the characters reveals the true state of decay. This theme is significant as it critiques the superficial values of society, where material wealth cannot compensate for the loss of authentic relationships and emotional fulfillment.

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Breakdown of Communication

Quote: "'My nerves are bad to-night. Yes, bad. Stay with me. / Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak.'"

The breakdown of communication is another key theme in the poem. The woman's repeated pleas for her companion to speak to her illustrate her desperation for connection. Despite being surrounded by luxury, she feels isolated and anxious because of the lack of meaningful dialogue. This quote directly shows her emotional state and the failure of communication in her relationship.

The theme is developed through the stark contrast between the rich, elaborate setting and the woman's emotional isolation. The opulence of the surroundings cannot alleviate her sense of loneliness. The poem uses this contrast to highlight the inadequacy of material wealth in providing true human connection. This theme is significant because it underscores the importance of communication and emotional bonds, critiquing a society that prioritizes appearances over genuine interaction.

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Sterility and Emptiness

Quote: "The wind / Under the door."

This simple yet evocative image of the wind under the door emphasizes the theme of sterility and emptiness. It suggests a cold, unwelcoming environment that reflects the barrenness of the characters' emotional lives. The sterility of the physical setting mirrors the lack of vitality and warmth in their relationships.

The theme of sterility and emptiness is developed throughout the poem by juxtaposing opulent imagery with symbols of barrenness and desolation. The luxurious room, filled with rich objects, contrasts with the coldness and lack of genuine emotional warmth. This theme is significant as it critiques the superficial nature of modern life, where material possessions cannot substitute for meaningful human connections and emotional fulfillment.

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Social and Moral Decline

Quote: "What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?"

The conversation between the two women in the pub reflects the theme of social and moral decline. Their dialogue reveals a sense of aimlessness and lack of purpose in their lives. The repetitive questioning about what to do highlights their existential crisis and the moral decay of their society.

This theme is developed through the mundane and trivial concerns of the characters, contrasting with the deeper existential questions they face. The casual tone of their conversation underscores the disillusionment and trivialization of significant life issues. This theme is significant as it critiques the moral and social disintegration in modern society, where individuals struggle to find meaning and direction in their lives.

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Imagery Analysis

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Opulent and Ornate Imagery

Quote: "The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."

Eliot uses rich, luxurious imagery to depict the woman's surroundings. The chair is described as a "burnished throne" and the marble glowing with glass standards adorned with fruited vines creates an image of grandeur and opulence. This imagery emphasizes the wealth and high social status of the woman, but it also contrasts sharply with her inner turmoil, highlighting the superficiality and emptiness of her existence. The lavish setting suggests that material wealth cannot provide true emotional fulfillment or genuine human connection.

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Synthetic and Corrupt Imagery

Quote: "Unstoppered, lurked her strange synthetic perfumes, / Unguent, powdered, or liquid—troubled, confused / And drowned the sense in odours."

The use of "synthetic perfumes" suggests artificiality and corruption, symbolizing the moral decay and loss of authenticity in modern life. The perfumes are described as "troubled" and "confused," which evokes a sense of unease and disorder. This imagery reflects the inner state of the woman and the society she represents, where appearances are maintained at the expense of genuine emotions and values. The overwhelming scents indicate a sensory overload that drowns out clarity and truth, emphasizing the disorientation and corruption inherent in their lives.

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Natural Decay

Quote: "The wind / Under the door."

The image of the wind under the door creates a sense of coldness and emptiness. It suggests an inhospitable, sterile environment that mirrors the emotional barrenness of the characters' lives. This simple yet powerful image highlights the contrast between the luxurious interior and the cold, empty reality outside. The wind symbolizes the presence of decay and desolation that permeates their existence, underscoring the theme of sterility and emptiness in the poem.

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Everyday Mundanity

Quote: "What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?"

This imagery of mundane, everyday concerns reflects the triviality and aimlessness of the characters' lives. The repetitive questioning about what to do underscores their lack of direction and purpose. This everyday mundanity contrasts sharply with the opulent imagery of the first scene, highlighting the disconnection between superficial appearances and the deeper existential crises faced by the characters. The trivial concerns emphasize the theme of social and moral decline, where significant life issues are reduced to mundane worries.

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Style Analysis

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Juxtaposition

Quote: "'What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?' / The hot water at ten. / And if it rains, a closed car at four."

Eliot employs juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between different aspects of modern life. In this section, the mundane conversation about daily plans starkly contrasts with the earlier opulent and troubled scene in the luxurious room. This technique emphasizes the triviality and routine nature of everyday concerns against the backdrop of existential despair. By placing these contrasting scenes side by side, Eliot underscores the disconnection between superficial appearances and deeper emotional turmoil, reinforcing the theme of societal decay.

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Stream of Consciousness

Quote: "HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME"

The use of stream of consciousness in the poem, particularly through fragmented and disjointed dialogue, reflects the chaotic and fragmented nature of modern existence. The phrase "HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME" is repeated, mimicking the internal thoughts and conversations of the characters in a rushed, unstructured manner. This technique allows readers to experience the disorientation and anxiety of the characters, emphasizing the breakdown of coherent communication and the pervasive sense of urgency and confusion in their lives.

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Classical Allusions

Quote: "Like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."

Eliot's use of classical allusions serves to juxtapose the grandeur and cultural richness of the past with the present decay. The reference to a "burnished throne" evokes images of royal opulence and classical elegance. By contrasting these allusions with the modern setting and the characters' emotional emptiness, Eliot highlights the decline of cultural values and the loss of continuity with the past. This stylistic choice adds depth to the poem, inviting readers to reflect on the erosion of cultural heritage in contemporary society.

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Repetition

Quote: "'My nerves are bad to-night. Yes, bad. Stay with me. / Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak.'"

The repetition of words and phrases in the poem emphasizes the characters' desperation and the breakdown of communication. The woman's repeated pleas for her companion to speak to her highlight her anxiety and sense of isolation. This repetitive language mirrors the cyclical nature of her thoughts and the relentless search for connection, underscoring the theme of disconnection and the inability to communicate effectively. The emotional impact is a heightened sense of urgency and despair, drawing attention to the character's inner turmoil.

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Language Analysis

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Formal and Elevated Language

Quote: "The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."

Eliot uses formal and elevated language to describe the opulent surroundings in the first scene. This choice of language creates a sense of grandeur and sophistication, reflecting the high social status and wealth of the woman. However, the elevated diction contrasts with her inner turmoil, highlighting the disparity between outward appearances and internal reality. This contrast underscores the theme of superficiality and the hollowness of material wealth, enhancing the poem's critique of modern society.

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Conversational and Colloquial Language

Quote: "What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?"

In the second scene, Eliot shifts to a more conversational and colloquial language to capture the everyday dialogue between two women in a pub. This language choice makes the conversation feel natural and relatable, emphasizing the mundane and trivial concerns of their lives. The casual tone contrasts sharply with the formal language of the first scene, highlighting the fragmentation and disconnection in modern life. It also underscores the theme of social and moral decline, as the characters' concerns are reduced to trivialities rather than meaningful pursuits.

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Symbolic Language

Quote: "The wind / Under the door."

The symbolic use of language in this image creates a sense of coldness and emptiness. The wind under the door suggests an inhospitable and sterile environment, reflecting the barrenness of the characters' emotional lives. This simple yet powerful symbol highlights the lack of warmth and vitality in their relationships, reinforcing the themes of sterility and emptiness. The symbolic language adds depth to the poem, inviting readers to reflect on the underlying desolation that pervades the characters' existence.

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Summary of Key Elements

Key Theme:

Breakdown of Communication and Emotional Isolation

The poem explores the breakdown of communication and the resulting emotional isolation in modern society.

Quote: "'My nerves are bad to-night. Yes, bad. Stay with me. / Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak.'"

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Key Image:

The Luxurious Room

The opulent setting highlights the superficiality and emotional emptiness of the characters' lives.

Quote: "The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."

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Key Stylistic Device:

Juxtaposition

Eliot contrasts the opulent first scene with the mundane pub conversation to emphasize the disparity between appearances and reality.

Quote: "'What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?' / The hot water at ten. / And if it rains, a closed car at four."

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Key Language Device:

Symbolic Language

The imagery of the wind under the door symbolizes the coldness and sterility of the characters' emotional lives.

Quote: "The wind / Under the door."

These elements together illustrate Eliot's critique of modern society's superficial values, the breakdown of meaningful communication, and the resulting emotional isolation and disconnection.

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Key Quotes

1. "'My nerves are bad tonight. Yes, bad. Stay with me. / Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak.'"
2. "The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."
3. "Unstoppered, lurked her strange synthetic perfumes, / Unguent, powdered, or liquid—troubled, confused / And drowned the sense in odors."
4. "The wind / Under the door."
5. "What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?"
6. "HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME"

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Summary Table

Category	Details	Supporting Quotes
Themes	Breakdown of Communication and Emotional Isolation	"'My nerves are bad tonight. Yes, bad. Stay with me. / Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak.'"
	Superficiality and Emptiness	"The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."
	Sterility and Barrenness	"The wind / Under the door."
	Mundane Concerns and Existential Despair	"What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?"
Images	Opulent Setting	"The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."
	Artificial and Synthetic Scents	"Unstoppered, lurked her strange synthetic perfumes, / Unguent, powdered, or liquid—troubled, confused / And drowned the sense in odors."
	Wind Under the Door	"The wind / Under the door."
Stylistic Devices	Juxtaposition	"'What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?' / The hot water at ten. / And if it rains, a closed car at four."
	Stream of Consciousness	"HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME"
	Classical Allusions	"Like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."
	Repetition	"'My nerves are bad tonight. Yes, bad. Stay with me. / Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak.'"
Language Devices	Formal and Elevated Language	"The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, / Glowed on the marble, where the glass / Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines."
	Conversational and Colloquial Language	"What shall we do tomorrow? / What shall we ever do?"
	Symbolic Language	"The wind / Under the door."