Overview of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Essay

THE LOVE SONG OF J. ALFRED PRUFROCK

T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock was initially issued in 1915 and then later on was issued in the Eliots first book in 1917 as part of Prufrock and Other Observations. The poem is a distinguished for its dramatic monologue and for its irregular form of the rhyme scheme which is apparent throughout the poem. The poem shows how its subject Prufrock feels and this is done in a way that the poet articulates the insecurity of Prufrock towards expressing his feelings. The poem is not commented directly, in order to leave room for the reader to draw his own views and conclusions. The subject of the poem Prufrock speaks in the poem in a way that he can not speak in the real life and Eliot in this case creates a poem which is very delicate and effective toward expressing every mean of Prufrocks insecurity.

We can see how Prufrock struggles and is frustrated by trying to establish a relationship with a woman. He has been thinking of proposing marriage to a woman who is talking about Michelangelo for quite a considerable time but he had never had the courage to do so. Even in those moments he dreams of doing that and in a way it seems like he is rehearsing his proposal but yet again he cant do it. He keeps saying to himself Do I dare? Do I dare? because he is afraid that the people might make fun of him. He also comments on his shyness and his sense of inadequacy by saying And should I then presume? And how should I begin? He makes some attempts on what might be the right way to begin by saying Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets and watched the smoke that rises from the pipes of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows? He thinks that those words would soften the girls heart and make her accept the proposal. Along the lines there is indication of Prufrocks frustration with his poor self-image, his physical appearance and his inability to speak to a woman he is in love with. Prufrock seems to be adding some role model in his thoughts which would be someone who is not worried about questions, not worried about other people and someone who simply acts, things which he is unable to do himself. His selection of a pair of ragged claws shows the sadness of Purfrock as he goes on accepting the failure in relationships.

Later on it seems like Prufrock is at a party and is staying next to the lady but he is still thinking whether he has the strength to force the moment to its crisis. The fear of being ridiculed still overwhelms him and so he goes on without being able to propose the lady. He continues being unsure of himself and has the same thoughts as before. The disappointment in himself grows so strong so that it makes him compare himself with Hamlet for his inability to make a decision. It is unclear of what happens in the end but it seems like Prufrock desire becomes even more frustrated and paralyzed for the woman he loves. He considers her inaccessible and he states that the human voices drown his hopes a comparison made to Dantes notion for Hell. Prufrock is simply left imprisoned by the present reality and unfortunately for him he is getting older.