"Hysteria" by T S Eliot (poetry reading)

[mistacramer]

Great reading, sir!

[TheWretch]

@ SpokenVerse Hysteria is defined as "an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping, etc" I believe they are both intoxicated. I believe the waiter is upset because he would rather have the loud drunks away from the other patrons. If the speaker is using 'careful subtlely' I don't believe he is hysterical, unless you stretch the meaning a bit to include his yearning to stop "them" from shaking. God knows, most desires are irrational.

[caesarshogun]

@TheWretch Keep in mind Eliot almost always uses words, quotes, and allusions connoting a deeper meaning, usually academic and uncommon. This was a man who based images in his poems off of Mithraic lore ("Sweeny Among the Nightingales") and Grail legend. Titling the poem with a single word, "Hysteria", Eliot is obviously exploring the meaning of the word. The uncontrollable laughing woman, Eliot's aporia, the waiter's alarm, seem to point to point to the words origins and older meaning.

[caesarshogun]

@TheWretch Keep in mind that Eliot often chooses to put uncommon or academic overtones into his work. This was a man who based poems off of obscure interpretations of Mithraic lore ("Sweeney Among The Nightingales") and Grail legend. To title it a single word, obviously points to the poem being some sort of definition. The uncontrollable laughing woman, the aporia of entire poem, points to original ancient believed condition of a woman going insane, "Hysteria" (from Greek "hustera": uterus).

[TheWretch]

I disagree with most of the analyses i've read, that surmise that the subject is uncomfortable or upset in any way. The imagery perfectly decribes the avenues a man's mind wanders through, if he were sitting at a table with a woman he desires greatly. There are moments when you are appreciating the physicality of a person, that you DO become lost in their face, seeing glints off their teeth as they laugh, and ultimatlely descend to the throat and chest. What she says is incidental.

[SpokenVerse]

@TheWretch Why then is it entitled "hysteria" and why is the waiter alarmed too?

[tiarnan76]

@SpokenVerse because hysteria sums up her laughter and also his passion, the waiter repeats himself because the man is lost in her and not paying attention - anyway dont look for definitives within poetry....but fair play for posting it nonetheless

[otaku123bekah]

@SpokenVerse Maybe hysteria just refers to her loud obnoxious laughing and the waiter doesn't want them to disturb the other patrons, since fancy places don't really like you making loud noises?

[SpokenVerse]

@otaku123bekah I agree with you. In fact I think that's what I said in my notes.

[solarisqs]

it's a situation one can identify with, self-consciousness is a funny thing

[solarisqs]

good choice

[thallassocracy]

Vivienne had serious issues with substance abuse, so I think your postcard may be more acute than you give it credit for.

[SpokenVerse]

Written in 1915, it's unlikely to refer to Vivienne.