Death of the Elements

Throughout the Four Quartets, Eliot mentions the four elements frequently. Though in the Little Gidding in part II, Eliot speaks of the death of all of these elements. The death of air, earth, water, and fire. Why do all of these elements die? The story ends with the dust in the air. The parched eviscerate soil without water. The marred foundations, rotted by fire and wind, forgotten. Eliot seems to lose hope. As part II continues, the poet gains the burdens of knowledge given to him by a stranger. Is this burden of knowledge what leads Eliot to believe that the elements are dead. The first three quartets he writes of the life of the elements but as he grows in wisdom does he come to the conclusion that the elements are actually dead? That hope is dead?

P.S. I commented on Ray's post.