The Free Press
NewslettersSign InSubscribe

Share this post

The Free Press
The Free Press
Things Worth Remembering: T.S. Eliot Put His World Back Together Again
Things Worth Remembering: T.S. Eliot Put His World Back Together Again
T.S. Eliot. (Alamy Stock Photo)
If America feels a sense of impending doom, the greatest poet of the twentieth century can help us put history in perspective.
By Douglas Murray
10.27.24 — Things Worth Remembering
253
637

Share this post

The Free Press
The Free Press
Things Worth Remembering: T.S. Eliot Put His World Back Together Again

Welcome to Douglas Murray’s column “Things Worth Remembering,” in which he presents great speeches from famous orators we should commit to heart. Scroll down to listen to Douglas read the most memorable speech from T.S. Eliot’s 1935 play, “Murder in the Cathedral.”

In the early days of this column, I confessed that T.S. Eliot is always with me. His words frequently rise to the surface of my mind. They are particularly powerful as a counter to despair—which is, in contemporary America, rife. As its citizenry has been preparing to exercise its right to vote next week, we have been warned that—regardless of the result—everything, everywhere is doomed: America’s education system, its birth rate, the planet, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, democracy itself.

Once, an impending election might have encouraged America to imagine a better future. Instead, so many influential voices fall back on fearmongering. Last week, for instance, Vice President Kamala Harris chose to amplify the divisive rhetoric of her most extreme followers when she opted to describe her opponent, for the first time, as a “fascist.” This comment could not have been made in a time of hope; it is confirmation that the culture is giving in to the temptations of pessimism, declinism, this idea that America has had its time. In certain circles, there has been a surge of interest in the infamous theory of Oswald Spengler—that, when a civilization finds itself on the road to ruin, it can never recover itself.

Maintaining The Free Press is Expensive!
To support independent journalism, and unlock all of our investigative stories and provocative commentary about the world as it actually is, subscribe below.
Already have an account?
Sign In
Douglas Murray
Douglas Murray is the best-selling author of seven books, and is a regular contributor at the New York Post, National Review, and other publications. His work as a reporter has taken him to Iraq, North Korea, northern Nigeria, and Ukraine. Born in London, he now lives in New York.
Tags:
Culture
History
Comments
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts and connect with other readers by becoming a paid subscriber!
Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

No posts

For Free People.
LatestSearchAboutCareersShopPodcastsVideoEvents
©2025 The Free Press. All Rights Reserved.Powered by Substack.
Privacy∙Terms∙Collection notice

Share