Which one of the following is the source of the passage given below?

"I have observed with growing anxiety the career of this word culture during the past six of seven years. We may find it natural, and significant, that during a period of unparalleled destructiveness, this word should come to have an important role..."

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The passage in question is from T.S. Eliot's essay "Notes Towards the Definition of Culture".

In this work, Eliot reflects on the development and shifting significance of the term "culture" in modern society. Eliot expresses his concerns over how the concept of culture, especially during times of societal upheaval and destruction, has been used in ways that might distort its deeper meanings and value.

T.S. Eliot’s essay addresses the anxieties surrounding the concept of culture in the context of modern civilization, which is evident from the passage. His work explores how the word 'culture' is increasingly linked to broader social and political movements during his time, particularly in the 20th century.

Information Booster:

T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) was an influential poet, essayist, and playwright, whose works deeply engaged with modernism.

Notes Towards the Definition of Culture is one of his significant essays in which he critiques the increasing misuse and overuse of the term "culture" in the modern world.

In Notes Towards the Definition of Culture, Eliot examines the difference between 'high culture' and 'mass culture,' with an eye towards defining the true meaning of culture amidst modern societal developments.

The essay is not just a critique but also a philosophical exploration of how culture has evolved and its implications for society, politics, and individual identity.

Additional Knowledge:

F. R. Leavis, Mass Civilization and Minority Culture:

This work, by F.R. Leavis, focuses on the tension between 'mass civilization' and 'minority culture,' but it does not contain the passage in question. Leavis focuses on the dangers of mass media and popular culture on the intellectual and artistic standards of society, which is a different argument than Eliot's concern about the word "culture."

Raymond Williams, Culture and Society:

In Culture and Society, Raymond Williams analyzes the historical development of the concept of culture and its importance in the social and political context. While this work also deals with culture, it is not the source of the passage, as Williams takes a different theoretical perspective compared to Eliot's approach.

Stuart Hall, Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices:

Stuart Hall's work on cultural studies focuses on how culture is represented and interpreted, particularly in the context of media and popular culture. His focus is on semiotics, representation, and ideology, which is not the focus of Eliot's passage about the role of the word "culture."