Tradition and Individual Talent (T. S. Eliot)

“Tradition and Individual Talent” by T. S. Eliot argues that great art is created through a dialogue between a writer and the literary history that precedes them. An artist’s work is shaped by understanding and engaging with past works, while also bringing their unique perspective and voice. Talent involves both honoring tradition and contributing something original. Eliot emphasizes that true innovation depends on a playwright’s awareness of the collective cultural and literary continuum, making individual creativity meaningful when connected to this ongoing artistic conversation.