Tradition and Individual Talent

"Tradition and Individual Talent" is an essay by T.S. Eliot that explores how poets and writers create their work. Eliot argues that a writer’s originality depends on their deep understanding of previous literary works—what we call tradition. Rather than originality meaning inventing something entirely new, it involves blending personal insight with the collective knowledge of past writers. Eliot suggests that individual talent is shaped by this tradition, and true creativity emerges from this dynamic relationship, where personal talent interacts with and responds to the rich history of literature.