How does use of Echo in his poem Heaven differ from that the myth?

You're asking about T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land," specifically the character of Echo and how her use in the poem compares to the myth.

Here's a breakdown:

Echo in Myth:

* Nymph: Echo was a nymph in Greek mythology, known for her beautiful voice and ability to repeat the last words spoken to her.

* Punishment: Hera, the goddess of marriage, punished Echo for distracting her from her husband Zeus's affairs by condemning her to only repeat others' words.

* Love and Loss: Echo fell in love with Narcissus, a handsome young man, but he rejected her. Desolate, she wasted away until only her voice remained, echoing in the mountains.

Echo in "The Waste Land":

* Symbol of Fragmentation: In Eliot's poem, Echo is not a character but a symbol for the fragmented nature of modern life. She represents the loss of meaning, communication, and authentic self-expression.

* Lack of Connection: Echo's repeated phrases in the poem ("I saw with my own eyes the Sibyl of Cumae hanging in a jar..."), reflect the inability of characters to truly connect or communicate with each other.

* The Waste Land: Echo's presence in the poem, specifically her connection to the Sibyl of Cumae (a prophetess), suggests that the modern world is filled with voices and messages that lack true meaning and substance, much like the Sibyl's prophecy.

Key Differences:

* Character vs. Symbol: In the myth, Echo is a nymph with a personality and backstory. In the poem, Echo is a symbolic device, representing a broader concept.

* Personal Loss vs. Societal Fragmentation: The myth focuses on Echo's individual love and loss. The poem uses Echo to explore the fragmented nature of society and the loss of meaning in the modern world.

* Connection to Prophecy: In the myth, Echo's ability to repeat words is a consequence of her punishment. In the poem, her connection to prophecy highlights the lack of meaningful messages and the fragmented nature of communication.

In conclusion:

While Eliot uses the figure of Echo in his poem, he alters her significantly from the myth. Echo in "The Waste Land" is not a character with a tragic backstory, but a symbol of the fragmented and meaningless nature of modern life and communication.