【正确答案】：
IT IS A POEM CONCERNED WITH THE SPIRITUAL BREAKUP OF MODERN CIVILIZATION IN WHICH HUMAN LIFE LOST ITS MEANING, SIGNIFICANCE AND PURPOSE. THE POEM HAS DEVELOPED A WHOLE SET OF HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS THEMES. IT REFLECTS THE PREVALENT MOOD OF DISILLUSIONMENT AND DESPAIR OF THE WHOLE POST-WAR GENERATION.
【题目解析】：本题考查对艾略特的《荒原》的主题和基调的评论。作答时要从主题和基调两个角度着手。这是一首关于现代文明精神分裂的诗，其中人类生命失去了意义、重要性和目的。这首诗发展了一整套历史、文化和宗教主题。它反映了战后一代人普遍的幻灭和绝望情绪。