The Waste Land and Beyond: T.S. Eliot's American Roots by Dean Wallace explores the profound influence of T.S. Eliot's American background on his literary works, focusing on how his upbringing in St. Louis and early encounters with American intellectual traditions shaped his poetic vision. This book delves into Eliot's complex relationship with American culture, his critique of materialism, and his eventual spiritual journey that led to his conversion to Anglicanism. It examines key works like The Waste Land, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, and Four Quartets, uncovering the ways in which Eliot's American roots—despite his life in exile—inform his views on identity, religion, and cultural continuity. Through an exploration of Eliot's intellectual development, the book illustrates how his work reflects both his engagement with European modernism and his deep-seated connection to the spiritual and cultural values of his homeland.
