Tradition & Individual Talent

Tradition con not be inherited. One can get it with great labor.

According to me a writer or even a critic must have Historical sense. As Eliot says that 

"The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence"

If a writer or critic has a Historical sense than he could be more clear in his work. Because this sense involves both sense: The sense of Past and The sense of Present.

When a writer starts writing in the beginning of his career he follows his predecessors. So we can say that, that is Tradition, that he follows. But after sometime when he develops his skill and reads more and more than his Individual Talent reflects in his writing. 

Eliot says that Individual Talent is that in which lesser effect of Tradition(Predecessors) could be seen. 

So Tradition and Individual Talent has connection. If one has read his time's tradition than only his own Individual Talent will come out. 

Shakespeare knows only one English language that means he has not taken education. Yet his work is known world wide. Only the reason behind that, is that, he never thought about the Tradition of his time of writing. He has done totally different and sometimes rebellious. It appeals to every generation. And that's why it's said that 

"Some can absorb knowledge, the more tardy must sweat for it. Shakespeare acquired more essential history from Plutarch than most men could from the whole British Museum".

Many a time we see that critics(who are not aware) criticizes writer or a poet instead of his work. Writer or poet's image could not be identified with his work. Many a time their work are far better than their character. and if the critic will focus on their character rather than their work than its a limitation of a critic. 

Eliot compares Literature with Science. 

As in an experiment of making sulphur-di-oxide platinum is needed. But in sulphur-di-oxide we couldn't find platinum directly. 

Same in the process of poetry making poem is main but in poetry he could not be seen directly. 

When one is emotional one writes to escape from one's emotions. 

Same when one writes he/she tries to show an ideal image and that's why he/she escapes from own personality. 

At last...

"Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry."

“Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality."