Europe as One Container: A Conceptual Metaphorical Analysis of T. S. Eliot’s Poems and Essays

This paper identifies and analyzes the root metaphor in T. S. Eliot’s works, focusing on the EUROPE IS ONE CONTAINER metaphor to uncover how it shapes his vision of European cultural unity and critique of nationalism. Applying conceptual metaphor theory, this study reveals that, while Eliot condemns nationalism for fostering division, his own metaphor reinforces similar exclusionary boundaries. Much like the nationalist metaphor NATION IS ONE CONTAINER, Eliot’s conceptualization of Europe draws rigid distinctions between insiders and outsiders. This analysis of Eliot’s metaphor demonstrates its rhetorical effects and limitations, showing how the very framework designed to unify Europe paradoxically mirrors the exclusionary logic it seeks to transcend. This study thus provides a new perspective on Eliot’s literary vision, offering insights into the tension between unity and division that continues to resonate in discussions of cultural identity.