Paul Franz, a notable poet, essayist, and editor, is set to lead an online discussion tonight, August 13, 2025, focusing on the enduring themes of the Grail Quest and its profound relevance to T. S. Eliot's seminal poem, The Waste Land.

The event, hosted by Interintellect, a platform dedicated to fostering intellectual discourse through modern-day salons, will delve into key passages from Jessie L. Weston's influential 1920 work, From Ritual to Romance.Franz, known for his contributions to The New York Review of Books and his Substack newsletter, Ashes and Sparks, is conducting this discussion as part of an ongoing series exploring The Waste Land. The series aims to illuminate the complex layers of Eliot's masterpiece, which famously drew heavily from Weston's anthropological study. Eliot himself acknowledged From Ritual to Romance as a primary source, stating in his notes to the poem that it suggested "not only the title, but the plan and a good deal of the incidental symbolism."Jessie L. Weston's From Ritual to Romance investigates the origins of the Holy Grail legends, positing their roots in ancient fertility rituals and vegetation myths rather than solely Christian lore. Her work explores the concept of the "Waste Land" as a blighted realm mirroring the wounded Fisher King, whose infirmity directly impacts the fertility and well-being of his land. This central motif of a desolate land awaiting renewal through a heroic quest forms a crucial backdrop for understanding Eliot's portrayal of post-World War I disillusionment and spiritual barrenness.The discussion promises to connect these ancient mythological frameworks to the modernist literary context of The Waste Land, offering participants a deeper understanding of the poem's intricate symbolism and its commentary on the human condition. Interintellect, which describes itself as reinventing the Enlightenment salon for the 21st century, provides an ideal setting for such in-depth literary and philosophical explorations, fostering "fearless conversations with friendly people." The online format at 7 PM EST allows for broad participation in this scholarly yet accessible event.