Question

Eliot’s idea of “impersonal theory of poetry” implies:

• A. The poet should write autobiographically.
• B. Poetry is a personal confession.
• C. The poet should eliminate personality and emotion from poetry.
• D. Poems should include only objective facts.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The poet should eliminate personality and emotion from poetry.

In the impersonal theory, Eliot believes that poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from it. The poet’s job is to create an emotion in the reader, not reveal their own.