The second coming

Definition

The Second Coming refers to the anticipated return of Christ in Christian eschatology, often symbolizing hope and renewal amid chaos. In the context of modernist poetry, it signifies a break from traditional forms and explores themes of disillusionment and the search for meaning in a fragmented world. The concept is used by poets to reflect on societal upheavals, crises of faith, and the search for a new spiritual or artistic direction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The phrase 'the Second Coming' is famously used in W.B. Yeats's poem 'The Second Coming,' which portrays a world descending into chaos as traditional values collapse.
2. In Yeats's poem, the Second Coming is depicted as a frightening event marked by a 'widening gyre,' suggesting a loss of control in society.
3. T.S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land' also reflects themes related to disillusionment and spiritual emptiness, connecting with the idea of a need for renewal amid despair.
4. Ezra Pound’s work emphasizes the need for cultural rebirth and critiques contemporary society's failures, aligning with the yearning for a new vision symbolized by the Second Coming.
5. The Second Coming motif is often tied to broader modernist concerns about fragmentation, alienation, and the search for identity in an increasingly chaotic world.

Review Questions

• How does Yeats's portrayal of the Second Coming reflect modernist concerns about societal change?
  • Yeats's portrayal of the Second Coming captures modernist concerns through its vivid imagery of chaos and loss of control. The poem describes a world spiraling into disorder, highlighting the disintegration of traditional values and beliefs. This aligns with modernist themes of disillusionment, as Yeats suggests that humanity is on the brink of a profound transformation, evoking both fear and anticipation for what may follow.
• In what ways do Eliot and Pound engage with the concept of the Second Coming in their poetry?
  • Eliot and Pound engage with the concept of the Second Coming by using it as a lens to critique contemporary culture and express a longing for renewal. Eliot's 'The Waste Land' mirrors themes of spiritual barrenness, suggesting that a new beginning is necessary. Pound emphasizes cultural rejuvenation through his call for a return to foundational values in poetry, reflecting a shared desire among modernist poets to find meaning amid chaos and disarray.
• Evaluate how the Second Coming serves as both a critique of modernity and a symbol of hope in modernist poetry.
  • The Second Coming functions as both a critique of modernity and a symbol of hope by illustrating the tensions between destruction and potential rebirth. In Yeats's vision, it highlights the perilous state of society while simultaneously hinting at the possibility of renewal that follows chaos. Similarly, Eliot’s exploration of spiritual emptiness critiques modern life but ultimately suggests that acknowledging this crisis may lead to a deeper understanding and transformation. This duality illustrates how modernist poets grappled with despair while simultaneously yearning for revival in their work.

Related terms

Eschatology: A branch of theology concerned with the final events in human history, often involving judgment, salvation, and the ultimate destiny of humanity.

Apocalypse: A term often associated with the end of the world or significant transformative events, frequently involving revelations about future conditions.

Modernism: A cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional forms and an exploration of new ideas and artistic expressions.