THE CONFIDENTIAL CLERK

by T. S. Eliot ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 8, 1954

This is the latest poetical drama by the creator of The Cocktail Party and is certain to be discussed even by those who wont acknowledge they don't understand it. Fresh from an excellent performance in Londo, it is shortly due in New York. Again it's Eliot's form of morality play, adding little, perhaps, to the theme of The Cocktail Party, with its admonishment to the upper classes to prepare for the supreme sacrifice, or to accept life in its own drab terms. The cast of characters parallels that of the earlier play, with its half uppercrust, half symbolical semblance. The Clerk takes the place of the Doctor,- part confessor, part psychiatrist, almost priest and moderator. Then there's the most likable character of the lot, a vulgar, loud woman. And finally a pure idealist, martyr to a cause, who as a male and less melodramatically plays the martyr's role taken- in The Cocktail Party- by Celia Copplestone. If The Confidential Clerk strikes any new note, it might be called double detachment, for he seems to be spoofing everyone, including himself. This gives a note of wry humor. The involution of the plot, absurdity piled on absurdity, adds to the sense of amused detachment. But what is tremendous is the poetical expertise. Never has Eliot's apparently effortless presody been more precise, more pregnant. Subtle overtones and undertones give an essentially dull play whatever depth it possesses. He has achieved complete mastery of words-and his triumph is dust to the spirit. But this is a play to read-for even when he has little to say- he says it supremely well.

Pub Date: March 8, 1954

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1954

Categories: NONFICTION