How and where was Eliot introduced to the French poets? (MEG 102) (T.S. ELIOT: THE WASTE LAND)

T.S. Eliot's introduction to French poetry was primarily through his education at Harvard University and his travels to Europe in the early 20th century.

During his time at Harvard, Eliot studied with the scholar and critic Irving Babbitt, who was an advocate for French literature and culture. Babbitt introduced Eliot to the works of French poets such as Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, and Arthur Rimbaud. Eliot was particularly drawn to the symbolist movement in French poetry, which emphasized the use of imagery and suggestion over direct description.

In 1910, Eliot traveled to Paris to study at the Sorbonne, where he continued to immerse himself in French literature and culture. During his time in Paris, he befriended the poet and critic Ezra Pound, who had already established himself as a champion of contemporary French poetry. Pound introduced Eliot to other French poets such as Guillaume Apollinaire and Jules Laforgue.

Eliot's exposure to French poetry had a significant impact on his own writing, particularly his early poetry. His famous poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" contains several references to French literature and culture, including a line from Dante's "Inferno" that was originally quoted in French.

Overall, Eliot's introduction to French poetry was a combination of his academic studies, his travels to Europe, and his personal connections with other writers and critics who shared his interest in French literature.