The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock – Sumi Paul

“And indeed there will be time/ To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”/ Time to turn back and descend the stair,/ With a bald spot in the middle of my hair-/ (They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”)” (Lines 37-41)

I chose these lines from the poem because I believe they provide the central concept and purpose of this poem. These lines explain how Prufrock is always questioning himself and that causes him to not do anything. He procrastinates by saying there will be time to do this later, and too much time passes and he ends up not doing it. This is what causes him to grow his insecurities. As time passes, he gets older and his looks fade, which makes him think that other people will find him unattractive. He wants to talk to the pretty girls but feels as though he is not good looking, which is why he does not take any actions. He allows his subconscious mind to take over by allowing his fears to stop him from doing what he wants. The repetition of the words “Do I dare” explains how he doubts himself and that causes him to refrain from actually taking the chance. These lines of the poem show how someone’s subconsciousness can really affect them. His subconscious made him think he was unworthy of love from a woman. When his subconscious came to light, it made him think about how others might see him. He thought they would view him as unattractive and old. This fear is what prevented him from making his move and meeting a woman. What still confuses me about these lines from the poem is if it is ever too late for him to take the chance and finally do what he has been wanting to do throughout the poem. Usually I procrastinate until the deadline is near. But when is Prufrock’s deadline?