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Uccellino Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Show you fear in a handful of dust

Hi,

Following is an excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._S._Eliot's 1922 poem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Waste_Land:

I will show you something different from either

Your shadow at morning striding behind you

Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you;

I will show you fear in a handful of dust.

==

The last line, underlined, is difficult to catch the exact meaning.

Is it to be understood to mean "fear of getting under the ground = death"?

Or does it mean "I will show you the fear when(=while) you and I are both in the dust"?

Or does it mean, "I will show you fear with the means of dust" = dust being the way or medium or weapon of attack?

What should be the average, poem reading native's understanding of this line?
  

Top answer

pructus What should be the average, poem reading native's understanding of this line? None. No understanding whatsoever.

— CalifJim

  • pructus What should be the average, poem reading native's understanding of this line?
  • None.
  • No understanding whatsoever.
  • Note the link below of thousands of Google hits, each representing an attempt to understand it.
  • Making analyses of Eliot's poetry is a thriving cottage industry!
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30 Answers
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pructusWhat should be the average, poem reading native's understanding of this line?
None. No understanding whatsoever. Note the link below of thousands of Google hits, each representing an attempt to understand it. Making analyses of Eliot's poetry is a thriving cottage industry!

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Thanks so much, Calif!!

I never would have imagined that line would be bringing up so much discussion.

What would be possible options of understanding, in purely grammatical point of view?

Here are some that I find as possible options. As a non-native of English, prior to literary understanding, grammatical understanding seems to be urgent. What among these three possibl
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I will show you fear in a handful of dust.

pructus1. You will be in a handful of dust as a consequence of the fact that I showed you fear. (in=into). No.
2. You and I will both be in a handful of dust, and in that state, I will show you fear. No.
3. I will show you something and
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Oh, I see....

The overall meaning seems clear, now......

With your explanation, I presume that the grammatical structure seems to be like, "fear in death".

These two examples are from Google. The structure is the same one as these two?

Do I understand correctly?

1. There is nothing to fear in death anymore than when we lie down to sleep for the n
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I will show you fear in a handful of dust.

pructusI presume that the grammatical structure seems to be like, "fear in death".
... The structure is the same one as these two?
Do I understand correctly?
1. There is nothing to fear in death anymore than when we lie down to sleep for the night.
2. Rest assured, therefore, that we have nothing to
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Oh!!!

I see....

I thought it was like, "I have no fear in death", if 'fear' is changed into a noun....

Then, grammatically it was so simple....

Thanks again!!!
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I am sorry to suggest that none of the proposed answers are correct. The line refers back to the original Greek epigram that begins the poem. The Cumean sibyl wishes for a life as long as the number of grains of sand in her hand. She was thus

granted immortality but not youth, therefore life becomes a torment, therefore " fear in a handful of dust."
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Thanks Mr Or Ms Anonymous!!

I will look more into this matter....
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Elliot is explaining that we don't fear death itself, but rather the thought of dying without being noticed or remembered. Like dust in the wind. Hope I could help!
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How can you say none of the previous opinions are correct? Everyone has a different perspective of the poet's premise.
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