T. S. Eliot’s poem, The Waste Land, is widely considered to be one of his most important works. Studied broadly in senior secondary schools and universities, it is considered by many to be a seminal work of the English language. This did not necessarily make it accessible; filled with obscurities and switching voices, the poem typically takes many readings to comprehend its full meaning. This makes it an ideal candidate for an enhanced reading experience of which Faber and Touch Press (2011) delivered through their App for iPad.
Presented with a clear range of menu options on the title screen, the user interface is clear and easy to understand and the app provides a range of features that enhance the experience of reading the poem and provide enjoyment through multiple styles. The Waste Land app offers a multiliteracy approach through the variety of readings, film, images, and annotations available engage the user. The interface of The Waste Land is clean and simple. On start-up, the user is presented with the main offerings in the app. These include: The poem, the manuscript with annotations by Ezra Pound, a performance and a collection of readings, commentary on the poem, photos and an extensive list of annotations and references for the poem. The fan of Eliot and student alike will gain a wealth of understanding about the poem through this extensive and detailed presentation.
The user is able to navigate their own way through the offerings that logically present new and interesting perspectives on the poem. If there is something the user does not wish to engage with or is not ready, the interface allows effortless navigation through the menu. Any section of the audio or film can be stopped, revisited, or skipped allowing the user to focus on any element they wish. Through this enhanced edition of the poem, it becomes much more accessible to a wider range of readers who might not have gained immediate enjoyment of this challenging poem had they simply read the text. This is one example in which reading on screen might contradict Jabr’s (2013) findings that, “reading on screens leads to more scanning… compared to reading on paper.” With a wealth of additional features available connecting the reader to the text, one cannot help but remain focused. One of the best features is the reading given by Irish Actor, Fiona Shaw. In her performance she skilfully establishes the range of voices present in the poem and allows the reader to be directly engaged in the performance. This element of the app alone increases the reader understanding and connection to the poem; it would be highly valuable to the student developing an analysis. Importantly, Faber and Touch Press have not developed The Waste Land with an over-reliance on bells and whistles. The content is focused and consistently provides the reader with an experience in which Eliot’s original text is the hero which, as Lamb (2011) argues, is where the value lies for the reader. Being able to read the text along with your selection of reader and style is quite wonderful and ensures many will enjoy the poem for its obscurities, voice, and unique take on society.
In addition to the readings, a range of commentaries and perspectives on the themes of the poem are provided which allows for a range of ideas about the poem to be explored at your fingertips. Using the menu options at the bottom of the screen it is possible to select a reading of any part of the poem the user is investigating, and the notes and references can be check simultaneously with the reading. This element of the app would be extremely useful in an education setting affording students a full range of explanatory notes about the text. If only there was a way for the reader to record their own thoughts and notes about the poem as they engage with the app.
The Waste Land for iPad is itself a seminal piece of literature. It expands the idea of what can be developed to enhance traditional literature. The unique content gives the reader unprecedented access to the work itself as well as the range of thought generated since its publication in 1922. Lovers of poetry and students would gain both enjoyment and insight from this app while many others may find enjoyment in this quality example of enhanced literature.
References
Dredge, S. (2011). The Waste Land iPad app earns back its costs in six weeks on the App Store. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2011/aug/08/ipad-the-waste-land-app
Faber and Touch Press. (2011). The Waste Land: T. S. Eliot’s Masterpiece. TouchPress Ltd, 2017.
Jabr, F. (2013). The reading brain in the digital age: The science of paper versus screens. Scientific American, April 11. Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/
Lamb, A. (2011). Reading redefined for a transmedia universe. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(3), 12-17.
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