The Fire Sermon Quiz : 15 MCQs

By Girdhari Lal Suthar

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The Fire Sermon Quiz

The Fire Sermon Quiz : Overview of The Fire Sermon (Section III of The Waste Land)

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In this section of The Waste Land, T. S. Eliot presents a world of spiritual emptiness and moral decay. The title, The Fire Sermon, comes from a sermon by Buddha, where he warns against the fires of passion, desire, and suffering. Eliot connects this idea to modern life, showing how people are trapped in lust and meaningless relationships.

 

The section begins with a description of the polluted River Thames, symbolizing moral corruption. Eliot refers to past literature, including Spenser’s Prothalamion and Shakespeare’s The Tempest, to contrast the lost purity of the past with the present decay. The poet also brings in the myth of Tiresias, the blind prophet, who witnesses a dull and loveless sexual encounter between a typist and a clerk. This scene represents the mechanical and emotionless nature of modern relationships.

 

Religious themes run throughout the section, as Eliot mixes Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian ideas. He refers to St. Augustine’s confession about his sinful youth and Buddha’s teachings on overcoming desire. In the end, Eliot hints at purification and redemption, but the world remains caught in suffering and emptiness.

 

Overall, The Fire Sermon highlights the moral decline of society, the loss of true passion, and the need for spiritual awakening.

 


The Fire Sermon Quiz

Welcome to your The Fire Sermon

1. The title The Fire Sermon is derived from which religious figure’s teachings?

2. What does the Thames River symbolize in this section?

3. Which classical figure does Eliot use as a prophetic observer in this section?

4. What does Mr. Eugenides represent in The Fire Sermon?

5. What literary technique does Eliot use in The Fire Sermon?

6. Which classical poet is referenced through "Sweet Thames, run softly, till I end my song"?

7. Which historical figure appears in the reference to Elizabeth’s cruise on the Thames?

8. The reference to Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde in this section signifies:

9. How does Eliot portray working-class individuals in this section?

10. The phrase "I sat down and wept" echoes which biblical reference?

11. The phrase "When a lovely woman stoops to folly" is a reference to:

12. The final lines from St. Augustine’s Confessions suggest that:

13. The "nymphs are departed" line alludes to which poem by Spenser?

14. Tiresias is a key figure in The Fire Sermon because:

15. The Fire Sermon is considered a turning point in The Waste Land because:


Previous Quiz : A Game of Chess Quiz : 20 MCQs

Girdhari Lal Suthar

Girdhari Lal Suthar is a dedicated Senior Teacher in English and the founder of Gyankundli.com. With 1.9 years of blogging experience, he shares valuable content on English Grammar, Literature, Language, and Educational updates, helping aspirants, students and teachers stay informed and prepared.

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