The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufroc

In T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock we hear the internal dialogue of a man who is seeking and hoping for the possibility of one day finding love.  The poem explores the depth of the man with all of his insecurities and shortcomings while he journeys through what he imagines love to be.   Although, this poem is not about a perfect man, nor a certain woman he’s speaking of, this is truly a modern love song, one with the reality of the struggles and imperfections of a modern man.The poem begins with him addressing a woman, as he imagines what it would be like to have someone in his life in the most simple of ways.  “Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels/And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells.” He then begins to show his self-doubt with the first showing of repetition “In the room the Women come and go/Talking of Michelangelo.”  In this repetition he is describing what he believes women want which is far from who he knows himself to be.  Not only does he know that he is not a talent like Michelangelo, he’s also not like one of his paintings or sculptures.  His self-consciousness shows with his inability to even speak to a woman, “To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”/Time to turn back and descend the stair.”  He continues with his second repetition with “For I have known them all already, known them all-.”  Stating that understands the wants of women and understands that he is a man of imperfections. This is, although still a love song.  Not about two people who have found love but of a man who wants it.  He is humble and self-critical throughout but in very cultured and educated ways. He says “No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;” Throughout his criticism he gives examples of Greek poetry, Biblical references and Shakespeare.   Although neurotic, “Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;” and Almost, at times, the Fool.” Throughout the poem his character very humbly and honesty shows how willing and able he would be to love another.

 

One thought on “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufroc

  1. I think you elaborated a great point about how the male narrator feels insecurities concerning women. The poem certainly highlights his fears about aging and growing old – specifically with references to his thinning hair and and allusion to Lazarus coming back from the dead. You also make good points with the narrators inner thoughts like “Do I dare?”, showing how he is timid and contrasts the typical image of men being confident and more outgoing.

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