Modernist Echoes: The Role of Tradition, Language, and Myth in Eliot, Shamlou, and Sepehri

Abstract

This article attempts to explore the influence of T. S. Eliot’s modernist poetics on the works of Iranian poets, Ahmad Shamlou and Sohrab Sepehri. It examines how these Iranian poets engaged with the concepts of “tradition,” “language,” and “myth” in their writings, drawing upon Eliot’s critical perspectives. The article begins with an overview of T. S. Eliot’s significance as a foundational figure of twentieth century literature, and how his modernist themes and techniques resonated with Iranian poets navigating their own cultural transformations. It then reviews relevant secondary sources that provide critical frameworks for understanding the relationships between Eliot, Shamlou, Sepehri, and the broader modernist poetic tradition. The core discussion analyzes how Shamlou and Sepehri, inspired by Eliot’s innovative spirit, may have sought to redefine their engagement with Persian classical poetry. They utilized new approaches to language and expression to challenge established forms, especially through using defamiliarization and mythical method, while still drawing upon their rich literary heritage. By tracing these intertextual and cross-cultural connections, the article aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the transnational circulation of modernist poetic ideals, especially Eliot’s preoccupations, and how they were reinterpreted and reinvigorated within the Iranian literary context. In fact, this comparative analysis sheds light on the complexities of cultural exchange and the evolution of modern poetry across geographic boundaries.