The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock deals with a modern man’s indecision to make the proposal of marriage to his ladylove. Through a dramatic monologue the lover analyses the reason for irresolution and indecision and tries to justify his cowardice and lack of nerves. 

The techniques of the poem are based on the use of dramatic monologue, of the rhythm of colloquial speech, imagery drawn from contemporary life, the use of literary allusions and a sudden transition from lyric intensity to terse ironic realism. The dramatic monologue which Eliot learnt from the metaphysical poets, is a distinct form by means of which he has dramatized the problem of Prufrock. The poem starts in a colloquial manner, “Let us go then, you and I’, and this manner continues in the whole of the opening passage. “Oh, do not ask .. Let us go and make our visit”. But this is not the style followed throughout the poem. Of course, it occurs again and again : “They will say, how his hair is growing thin”. “So how should I presume?” “And how should I begin.” “That is not it at all;/That is not what I meant, at all.” At the same time we find a heightened literary style, too. “No, I Am not Prince Hamlet ...” Thus the colloquial expression changes in accordance with the mood of the speaker. 

The same is the case with the versification which is flexible, and which varies to suit the turn of thought and feeling. The metrical base is iambic, but we have short lines and long lines, and the rhyme scheme is irregular as is the stanza pattern. There is such a terse line as “Do I dare?” and we have the repetitive rhythm of the line : “For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse”. 

The imagery of the poem is unusual, too. It is entirely untraditional. Only the metaphysical poets of the 17th century could have used the image of the evening “spread out against the sky like a patient etherised upon a table”, to convey a mood of inactivity and listlessness. A similar image in terms of a conceit, is that of streets that follow like a tedious argument ...” yet another image of that kind may be traced in the description of the fog which is compared to a cat in terms of its movement and behaviour. 

Another remarkable feature of Eliot’s style is his use of allusions. The literary allusions in the poem are a part of the device of suggestiveness. There are references here to Andrew Marvell (“and indeed there will be time”), to Hesiod (“works and days”), to Shakespeare (“a dying fall”), to Donne (“arms that are bracelated”), to the Bible (John the Baptist, Lazarus, etc.) and so on. The use of literary allusions has made the poem very learned and at places obscure. 

To sum up, Eliot’s technique of writing poetry is quite new. Almost all of his poems are dramatic and this is no exception in the case of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. It embodies all the important dramatic elements such as dramatic beginning, swift movement, tension, lyrical sweep, irony, condensation, and psychological insight, etc. 

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock as an dramatic monologue

Green Land | August 04, 2023 | 0 comments

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock deals with a modern man’s indecision to make the proposal of marriage to his ladylove. Through a dramatic monologue the lover analyses the reason for irresolution and indecision and tries to justify his cowardice and lack of nerves. 

The techniques of the poem are based on the use of dramatic monologue, of the rhythm of colloquial speech, imagery drawn from contemporary life, the use of literary allusions and a sudden transition from lyric intensity to terse ironic realism. The dramatic monologue which Eliot learnt from the metaphysical poets, is a distinct form by means of which he has dramatized the problem of Prufrock. The poem starts in a colloquial manner, “Let us go then, you and I’, and this manner continues in the whole of the opening passage. “Oh, do not ask .. Let us go and make our visit”. But this is not the style followed throughout the poem. Of course, it occurs again and again : “They will say, how his hair is growing thin”. “So how should I presume?” “And how should I begin.” “That is not it at all;/That is not what I meant, at all.” At the same time we find a heightened literary style, too. “No, I Am not Prince Hamlet ...” Thus the colloquial expression changes in accordance with the mood of the speaker. 

The same is the case with the versification which is flexible, and which varies to suit the turn of thought and feeling. The metrical base is iambic, but we have short lines and long lines, and the rhyme scheme is irregular as is the stanza pattern. There is such a terse line as “Do I dare?” and we have the repetitive rhythm of the line : “For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse”. 

The imagery of the poem is unusual, too. It is entirely untraditional. Only the metaphysical poets of the 17th century could have used the image of the evening “spread out against the sky like a patient etherised upon a table”, to convey a mood of inactivity and listlessness. A similar image in terms of a conceit, is that of streets that follow like a tedious argument ...” yet another image of that kind may be traced in the description of the fog which is compared to a cat in terms of its movement and behaviour. 

Another remarkable feature of Eliot’s style is his use of allusions. The literary allusions in the poem are a part of the device of suggestiveness. There are references here to Andrew Marvell (“and indeed there will be time”), to Hesiod (“works and days”), to Shakespeare (“a dying fall”), to Donne (“arms that are bracelated”), to the Bible (John the Baptist, Lazarus, etc.) and so on. The use of literary allusions has made the poem very learned and at places obscure. 

To sum up, Eliot’s technique of writing poetry is quite new. Almost all of his poems are dramatic and this is no exception in the case of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. It embodies all the important dramatic elements such as dramatic beginning, swift movement, tension, lyrical sweep, irony, condensation, and psychological insight, etc. 

T.S. Eliot , The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, one of the best known of Eliot's poems, was published in 1917 in the volume of poems called, Prufrock and Other Observations. It marks a complete break from the 19th century tradition of poetry, both in technique and content. The setting of the poem is urban which reveals the ugliness of modern civilization and the theme is the conflict of dilemma of a modern man who is unable to take a decision about making the proposal to the lady he loves. 

The lover in the poem is unheroic in his approach to love. He suffers from indecision and lack of nerves which makes him incapable of being bold enough to make a proposal of marriage or love to 8 woman. The poem portrays not only the indecision of modern man but also the triviality, artificiality, hypocrisy and emptiness of contemporary urban civilisation. The title of the poem shows it to be a love song but, in fact, it is a poem about failure in love. Actually it is an anti-romantic poem with a tone of irony throughout. 

The title of the poem is followed by an epigraph which is taken from Dante's Inferno. Dante meets in Hell a character called Guido who agrees to tell Dante of his past only because he knows that like him, the poet also is a lost soul, and so he will never return to earth to tell the people of his confession. The epigraph suggests the theme of the poem. 

The poem is in the nature of an ‘interior monologue’. it probes deep into the subconscious mind of the protagonist, renders his actual thought process on the move, and in this way highlights his neurotic nature and moral cowardice. 

Eliot has discarded the traditional verse form and rhythm. He believes in the freedom of the writer and in the flexibility of style. The verse form varies to suit the turn of thought and feeling. The metrical base is iambic, but we have short lines and long lines, and the rhyme scheme is irregular as is the stanza pattern. There is such a terse line as “Do i dare?” and we have the repetitive rhythm of the hne: *For decisions and revision which a minute will reverse.” This impose that the business of making up one’s mind is a monotonous activity. Further we find the languorous rhythm of the lines which decade the behaviour of the fog. 

The imagery of the poem is asleep Wendell. faith is entirely Untraditional Only the metaphysical poete of the 17th century could have used the image of the evening “spread out against the sky like a etherised upon  table”, to convey a mood of inactivity and listlessness,.

Modern poetry the Indirect and this indirectness has becs Maintained by Eliot in his use of ‘objective correlative’ in The Love Bong of J. Alfred Prufrock. Here Prufrock is the objective correlative or the medium through whose character Eliot portrays the dilemma of a modern man.

Write a critical appreciation of The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock

Green Land | May 25, 2023 | 0 comments

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, one of the best known of Eliot's poems, was published in 1917 in the volume of poems called, Prufrock and Other Observations. It marks a complete break from the 19th century tradition of poetry, both in technique and content. The setting of the poem is urban which reveals the ugliness of modern civilization and the theme is the conflict of dilemma of a modern man who is unable to take a decision about making the proposal to the lady he loves. 

The lover in the poem is unheroic in his approach to love. He suffers from indecision and lack of nerves which makes him incapable of being bold enough to make a proposal of marriage or love to 8 woman. The poem portrays not only the indecision of modern man but also the triviality, artificiality, hypocrisy and emptiness of contemporary urban civilisation. The title of the poem shows it to be a love song but, in fact, it is a poem about failure in love. Actually it is an anti-romantic poem with a tone of irony throughout. 

The title of the poem is followed by an epigraph which is taken from Dante's Inferno. Dante meets in Hell a character called Guido who agrees to tell Dante of his past only because he knows that like him, the poet also is a lost soul, and so he will never return to earth to tell the people of his confession. The epigraph suggests the theme of the poem. 

The poem is in the nature of an ‘interior monologue’. it probes deep into the subconscious mind of the protagonist, renders his actual thought process on the move, and in this way highlights his neurotic nature and moral cowardice. 

Eliot has discarded the traditional verse form and rhythm. He believes in the freedom of the writer and in the flexibility of style. The verse form varies to suit the turn of thought and feeling. The metrical base is iambic, but we have short lines and long lines, and the rhyme scheme is irregular as is the stanza pattern. There is such a terse line as “Do i dare?” and we have the repetitive rhythm of the hne: *For decisions and revision which a minute will reverse.” This impose that the business of making up one’s mind is a monotonous activity. Further we find the languorous rhythm of the lines which decade the behaviour of the fog. 

The imagery of the poem is asleep Wendell. faith is entirely Untraditional Only the metaphysical poete of the 17th century could have used the image of the evening “spread out against the sky like a etherised upon  table”, to convey a mood of inactivity and listlessness,.

Modern poetry the Indirect and this indirectness has becs Maintained by Eliot in his use of ‘objective correlative’ in The Love Bong of J. Alfred Prufrock. Here Prufrock is the objective correlative or the medium through whose character Eliot portrays the dilemma of a modern man.

T.S. Eliot , The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

J. Alfred Prufrock is the protagonist of Eliot’s famous poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. He is a middle-aged fop, a neurotic and tragic figure who is unable to take a decision about making the proposal of marriage to the lady he loves. Let us now consider some of the important traits of his character. 

Prufrock is an aging romantic fellow who dresses smartly, smiles to the ladies but is unable to express his inner mind. His excuse for postponing the making of the love proposal arises from neurosis and from his fear of rejection. He is conscious of his old age and besides, there is “a bald spot in the middle” of his head. His hair is also growing thin. His hands and legs are also thin. He is afraid of people's criticism, “But how his arms and legs are thin!” For this reason, he is in a dilemma whether he will propose to his lady or not. 

Prufrock may be regarded as a tragic character. His tragedy lies in the fact that he is unable to commit himself to any faith that would sustain him. Prufrock’s timidity is his tragic flaw. His inability to establish a satisfying love-relationship torments him. 

Prufrock shows a Hamlet-like temperament, which is central to Shakespeare’s great tragedy. In Hamlet we find that the hero suffers intensely because of his over-consciousness. His philosophical speculations paralyse his will to act and so he suffers from procrastination. The desire of the heart failing to find fulfilment ip action, begins to feed upon itself, and the emotional impulse to act of to come to a decision is repressed by over-scrupulousness. The result is emotional frustration, and self-dissection or self-deprecation. If the case of Prufrock the problem is complicated by the fact that he is  smart but middle-aged man who is naturally more timid in love’ making than a hot-blooded youth. 

Prufrock is a man of dual personality. He suffers from both mental and physical weakness. He is old and impotent. But at the same time he has no power to reach a decision whether he should propose to his sweetheart or not. He is timid and indecisive. He represents a split consciousness. In fact he has two selves — romantic and realist. His heart is his romantic self and his head is the realist self. His romantic self persuades him to go to his beloved and propose to her. But his realist self advises him not to hurry. This is actually the cause of his indecision in making a proposal to his ladylove. 

Prufrock is a daydreamer, romantic fellow who often has visions of beauty. Unable to face realities, he longs to escape from life to some world of romance and beauty. His romantic inner-self has always been submerged by the actualities of life. So he is utterly helpless; he wants to escape but cannot.

Sketch the character of J. Alfred Prufrock

Green Land | May 25, 2023 | 0 comments

J. Alfred Prufrock is the protagonist of Eliot’s famous poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. He is a middle-aged fop, a neurotic and tragic figure who is unable to take a decision about making the proposal of marriage to the lady he loves. Let us now consider some of the important traits of his character. 

Prufrock is an aging romantic fellow who dresses smartly, smiles to the ladies but is unable to express his inner mind. His excuse for postponing the making of the love proposal arises from neurosis and from his fear of rejection. He is conscious of his old age and besides, there is “a bald spot in the middle” of his head. His hair is also growing thin. His hands and legs are also thin. He is afraid of people's criticism, “But how his arms and legs are thin!” For this reason, he is in a dilemma whether he will propose to his lady or not. 

Prufrock may be regarded as a tragic character. His tragedy lies in the fact that he is unable to commit himself to any faith that would sustain him. Prufrock’s timidity is his tragic flaw. His inability to establish a satisfying love-relationship torments him. 

Prufrock shows a Hamlet-like temperament, which is central to Shakespeare’s great tragedy. In Hamlet we find that the hero suffers intensely because of his over-consciousness. His philosophical speculations paralyse his will to act and so he suffers from procrastination. The desire of the heart failing to find fulfilment ip action, begins to feed upon itself, and the emotional impulse to act of to come to a decision is repressed by over-scrupulousness. The result is emotional frustration, and self-dissection or self-deprecation. If the case of Prufrock the problem is complicated by the fact that he is  smart but middle-aged man who is naturally more timid in love’ making than a hot-blooded youth. 

Prufrock is a man of dual personality. He suffers from both mental and physical weakness. He is old and impotent. But at the same time he has no power to reach a decision whether he should propose to his sweetheart or not. He is timid and indecisive. He represents a split consciousness. In fact he has two selves — romantic and realist. His heart is his romantic self and his head is the realist self. His romantic self persuades him to go to his beloved and propose to her. But his realist self advises him not to hurry. This is actually the cause of his indecision in making a proposal to his ladylove. 

Prufrock is a daydreamer, romantic fellow who often has visions of beauty. Unable to face realities, he longs to escape from life to some world of romance and beauty. His romantic inner-self has always been submerged by the actualities of life. So he is utterly helpless; he wants to escape but cannot.

T.S. Eliot , The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock