Modernist Movement · English Literature

What is the 'Objective Correlative' as defined by T.S. Eliot in his essay 'Hamlet and His Problems'?

  1. Objects or situations that serve as a formula for evoking a specific emotion
  2. The use of footnotes and citations to explain fictional or historical events
  3. A character who transparently represents the author's own personal views
  4. The requirement of historical accuracy in the setting and events of a novel
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Objects or situations that serve as a formula for evoking a specific emotion

Eliot argued in 'Hamlet and His Problems' that art should be impersonal. An author should not state an emotion directly but provide the sensory details — the 'objective correlative' — that will inevitably evoke that emotion in the reader, making feeling precise and communicable.

Difficulty: Medium Question 8 of 20

Practice all 20 Modernist Movement questions

Keep practicing

More Modernist Movement questions