Overview[]
Ezekiel was a Hebrew prophet and author of the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel had prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and was faced with much opposition. In 587, his prophecy was fulfilled when Babylonians troops attacked and destroyed the Holy Land.
Ezekiel first encounter with God
The Call of Ezekiel
The Call of Ezekiel is described as Ezekiel's call to become a prophet. The phrase "Son of man" was what God had used to address Ezekiel. God was ordering Ezekiel to be his messenger, to go to Israel and to speak to the people there of God's divine words. God asked Ezekiel not to fear of this arduous task, but also warned him not to betray his duty and "rebel like that rebellious people".
Connection to The Waste Land[]
In lines 20-21 "Son of man, You cannot say, or guess", Eliot alludes to The Call of Ezekiel. By addressing the reader as "Son of man", the narrator is assuming a god-like position and the reader is regarded as the unknowing, foolish and rebellious people. Perhaps Eliot is suggesting that despite the advance in science and the belief that humans are one step closer in unlocking the mystery of the universe, we may in fact know nothing at all. And only through the prophet who was enlightened by God shall shed light light be shed upon our haze.