The Search for Order: T.S. Eliot's Use of Music and Musical Form - Paperback

by Hallie Belt (Author)

Did you know that T.S. Eliot's book "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" is the text on which Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Cats" (1981) is based? Throughout his work, twentieth-century poet, dramatist, and critic T.S. Eliot examined his historical place and relevance in the world. While tradition and culture are fundamental themes in his work, how does Eliot use music to explore these themes, achieve order, and find a solution to his existential questions?

Author Biography

The daughter of a classical musician, Hallie Belt was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She studied piano, viola, and voice for eight years each. She received her B.A in English Literature at Gettysburg College, where she also sang in the Gettysburg College Choir for three years. Upon graduation, Hallie moved to Austin, Texas, and worked at the University of Texas. While pursuing her master's degree at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), she worked as a copy editor, proofreader, writing tutor, and writing skills instructor. In graduate school, Hallie attended Dr. Michael Hennessy's class on T.S. Eliot (and W.H. Auden), where she learned about Eliot's interest in music, deciding on that topic for her graduate thesis under Dr. Hennessy's supervision. After obtaining her M.A. in English, Hallie taught English as a Foreign Language in Japan and Switzerland (later in Spain). In 1996, Hallie moved to Chicago and taught EFL at Roosevelt University and English Composition at Columbia College. In 2000, she became an ad agency editor and proofreader. An alumna of The Second City Chicago (Sketch Comedy) Writing Training Program, she also completed several acting, improvisational, and voice-over classes. In 2014, Hallie returned to school to pursue an A.F.A. in vocal performance. Like T.S. Eliot, Hallie loves music and decided to learn about it on a much deeper level, as she feels that music adds beauty and meaning to her existence. She is forever grateful for her background in music, a subject that endlessly fascinates her. Hallie currently lives in Chicago, Illinois, and has her own company, BeltStyles (www.beltstyles.com). She's an ad agency editor and proofreader, book editor, resume writer, blogger, and voice-over. Please look for Hallie Belt's upcoming books, based on her blogs: International Girl in Spain, My English Quarters, and Dating Till It's Over. To find out more about Hallie Belt, please visit www.beltstyles.com.