ETS Major Field Test English Literature (British) Practice Test

T.S. Eliot's poetry is primarily associated with Modernism, a movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the dramatic changes brought about by industrialization, war, and a shift in societal values. Modernist literature is characterized by a break from traditional forms and conventions, embracing fragmentation, stream-of-consciousness narratives, and a focus on the inner thoughts and perceptions of characters.

Eliot's work embodies these Modernist traits through its innovative structures, use of free verse, and incorporation of a wide range of influences, including mythology, religion, and philosophy. His most famous poem, "The Waste Land," serves as a landmark of Modernist literature with its complex layering of voices, disjointed timelines, and allusions to various texts and cultural references, conveying the disillusionment and chaos of the post-World War I era.

The other styles mentioned do not encapsulate the essence of Eliot's poetry. Realism focuses on depicting everyday life in a detailed, unidealized manner, while Surrealism emphasizes the unconscious mind and dream-like scenes. Romanticism, on the other hand, emphasizes emotion, nature, and the glorification of the individual, which contrasts with the often fragmented