The Waste Land

Why does Eliot refer to "Mylae" on line 70, instead of World War I?

Why does Eliot refer to "Mylae" on line 70, instead of World War I? What does
the substitution of an ancient war for a modern one mean? Consider the role of
history in "The Waste Land," and Eliot's fluid conception of time.

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Last updated by jill d #170087
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Mylae is a reference to an ancient battle from the First Punic War, which by extension evokes an image of death on the civilization scale. This parallel speaks to the way history repeats itself.... how wars never change.

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The Waste Land

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