Tradition and the Individual Talent

"Tradition and the Individual Talent" is an essay by T.S. Eliot that explores how new works of art or literature are formed. Eliot suggests that great art is not created in isolation but evolves through a continuous dialogue with past works—what he calls "tradition." However, each artist also brings their unique perspective and skill, blending personal innovation with the influence of tradition. Essentially, tradition provides the foundation, but individual talent introduces fresh insight, making each creation both a continuation and a transformation of the past.