The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

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The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Introduction

Though the title of Eliot's poem, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" leads the reader to believe it will be a sweet poem, the juxtaposition of the epigraph right after the title deeply contrasts the initial thought (William 346-356). It is from Dante's Inferno and explores the suffering and uncertainty in Prufrock. Translated, the epigraph is Guido de Montefeltro confessing his sins to Dante assuming that he, like all others, will not be able to escape the depth, the depth being Hell, and therefore not be able to tell others of his sins (William 346-356). Prufrock, much like Guido, tells his story, his self-doubt and insecurities to the reader because he believes the reader will not speak of it to anyone else. Also, the prologue paints the image of Prufrock isolated in a personal hell not unlike a person stuck in the fiery depths of hell.

Discussion

J. Alfred Prufrock observes interaction at a dinner party concerned with the actions happening before him. Eliot writes, "In the room the women come and go / talking of Michelangelo”. In this observation women speak of the artist Michelangelo who sculpted the David statue. This displays the shallowness and superficiality of society as David represents the perfect man; and women converse over this unattainable perfection. Elliot then comments on the inability of humans to communicate with others as he writes, "To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare"?"(1018) (William 346-356). Prufrock dares himself to make conversation with an average woman; Eliot makes a hyperbolic statement when considering that approaching a woman to talk becomes unnatural and unusual. Another example of miscommunication comes when Eliot writes, "And should I then presume? / And how should I begin?"(1019). Prufrock does not know how to respond to the simple question "How are you”? The question freezes and confuses him, Prufrock then says, "Shall I say, I...