Literary Tradition
In his critical essays, Eliot uses the motif of literary tradition in many instances. According to him, a strict adherence to the tradition helps a writer to create exceptional literary works. Tradition gives the writer a well-organized medium to express his emotions. He does not encourage a writer to imitate tradition blindly rather he guides him to follow the guidelines provided by the masterminds of the classical age.
Classical Literature
Eliot refers to the writers like Plato, Aristotle, Ovid, Dante and others, in his essays. He sees their works as perfect examples of literary creation. He finds the intellectual appeal in their works still relevant in his time. Classics help artists to create good literature. They are the guiding spirit for every generation.
Platinum
Platinum is a symbol of artist's mind. Platinum is used as a catalyst in the chemical reaction of oxygen and sulphur dioxide. It remains unchanged when the reaction ends. Without it the reaction is not possible. For Eliot, these are the qualities which every artist should posses. A writer should act like this platinum and should not mix his real self with the recurring feelings and emotions while writing. According to Eliot, "The mind of the poet is the shred of platinum. It may partly or exclusively operate upon the experience of the man himself; but, the more perfect the artist, the more completely separate in him will be the man who suffers and the mind which creates; the more perfectly will the mind digest and transmute the passions which are its material."
Sense of Loss
Another motif, which is recurrent in the essays, is the sense of loss in the literature of his age. Eliot remarks, "In English writing we seldom speak of tradition, though we occasionally apply its name in deploring its absence. We cannot refer to "the tradition" or to "a tradition"; at most, we employ the adjective in saying that the poetry of So-and-so is "traditional" or even "too traditional." Seldom, perhaps, does the word appear except in a phrase of censure. If otherwise, it is vaguely approbative, with the implication, as to the work approved, of some pleasing archæological reconstruction. You can hardly make the word agreeable to English ears without this comfortable reference to the reassuring science of archæology." This sense of loss is visible in his other essays as well.
Sulphurous Acid
While focusing upon the working of an artist's mind, Eliot uses this symbol of sulphurous acid. Sulphurous acid is the product of oxygen and sulphur dioxide. He symbolizes these two gases as feelings and emotions. According to him, "The experience, you will notice, the elements which enter the presence of the transforming catalyst, are of two kinds: emotions and feelings. The effect of a work of art upon the person who enjoys it is an experience different in kind from any experience not of art. It may be formed out of one emotion, or may be a combination of several; and various feelings, inhering for the writer in particular words or phrases or images, may be added to compose the final result." This final result is nothing but the literary work itself.
