Sárospataki Füzetek 17. (2013)
2013 / 1-2. szám - TANULMÁNYOK - Sawyer, Frank: Krisztus, egyház és világ T. S. Eliot Kórusok "A sziklá"-ból, 1934 c. versében
The cycles of Heaven in twenty centuries Bring us farther from God and nearer to the Dust. The poet begins with abstract philosophical thoughts on whirling star patterns and cosmonomic cycles, which are then contrasted by speech moves into concrete experiences. This includes London, a city with less and less church bells and new suburbs where people read the newspaper rather than go to church on Sunday morning. London is already a ‘timekept City’ of commerce and shipping trade (‘foreign flotations’). When ‘the Rock’ enters, he is called the Watcher, the Stranger, the Witness, the Critic, and “the God-shaken, in whom is the truth inborn” (8). All the choruses have allusions to biblical texts. One referred to in the first chorus is Matthew 6:34: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow”. This is a way of contrasting our almost frantic working for success, with the blessings given while we lay aside our work and even sleep (Psalm 137: 1-2). All our work is in vain if God is not the builder. The Rock speaks and says that among all changes, the “perpetual struggle of Good and Evil” does not change. Therefore, “the good man is the builder, if he build what is good” — indeed, therefore “make perfect your will” (9). The scene then shows builders working on a church, and others unemployed. The refrain becomes: “A Church for all / And a job for each / Each man to his work” (10). Eliot’s view on work in this pageant is the contrast between human works leading to a false salvation, and working with a view to eternity. In the section following the first chorus, there are speeches and dialogues between the workmen building a church. One fellow says that whether he builds a bank or a church, “I draws me dough just the same so it’s all the same to me” (11). In this dialogue and throughout the play there are remarks and lines that are humorous, including the following interpretation of the Bible: “..see what the Book says. There’s David. One o’ them fancy lads—a good soldier and fond o’ the ladies—but a great one for ‘is church. And what does it say. The Lord loved ‘im ‘cause ‘e was a fine fellow on one side and as bad as them make ‘em on the other” (13). One way of summarizing the meaning of building a church went as follows: “It’s God’s ‘ouse and it’s the people’s ‘ouse and it’s our ‘ouse. You and me...are doin’ somethin’ for God and somethin’ for ‘umanity what always ‘as to be done” (13). An evaluation of the church is found throughout the play. Critique (and self-critique) of religion is frequently stated. We hear that the church could progress in the old days because people were more simple and there were less other cultural attractions, such as the theatre or science. “Then what’s more, there wasn’t any papers and people couldn’t read nor write anyway. And what’s more, there wasn’t any charities nor gov’ment works o’ no kind...there was nowheres else to go for ‘elp but only to the church...” (14). We also hear: “Your gods, you say, fight for you and strengthen you in battle. But I tell you that God is not only your God but the God of all men. He does not fight for you except you fight for righteousness __” (17/18). I II.2. Second chorus — The question of the cornerstone for society is raised When the cornerstone given by God is rejected, we set about labouring for ourselves to the detriment of our neighbours. We turn to “imperial expansion...industrial RT-2 Sárospataki Füzetek 71
