Analysis of T.S. Eliots The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Essay

Analysis of T.S. Eliots The Love Song of J. Alfred PrufrockThe Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock demonstrates the effects of well-disposed and economicpressure in the life of a Victorian man. T.S. Eliot shows us, in an ironic monologue, how thereality of age and social position paralyzes his character with fear. The poem opens with sixsome linesfrom Dante?s ?Infernio?. This particular stanza explains that the speaker is in hell and the messagecan only be told to someone else in hell. The speaker tells us that it is OK for the attendant to hearthe message, since in order to hear you must already be in hell and no one ever returns from there.So the message leave alone never leave. I believe Eliot uses this message to infer that only a reader whounderstands the loneliness and desperation of Prufrock can truly understand the poem. However,in my research, I have found as many different interpretations of the poem as I have foundreaders. Most agree however, that Prufrock is speaking to t he reader when he says ?you andI?(Line 1). Many readers also agree that Prufrock is a lonely man, but what type of company hedesires seems to vary greatly. Interpretations include sex, social company, long shape love, andeven death. I believe Prufrock yearns for the sense of belonging, both with a female and with hissociety. He struggles with issues of sex, age and social change.The beginning lines of the poem(1-25) paint for a very descriptive picture of the streetwhere Prufrock is walking. It also alerts the reader of Prufrock?s distaste for this area and thissociety. He describes it as ?have deserted?,?muttering?.?one-night cheap hotels? and ?sawdustrestaurants?.(5-7) He contrasts that with his coating of a ?room where women come andgo/Talking of Michelangelo?(13&14). Prufrock doesn?t give the reader much insight into histhoughts until line 26. From this line forward, we get a glimpse of what it must be like to bePrufrock. He tells us ?There will be time, there will be time/ T o limit a face to meet the facesthat you meet?(27-28), indicating repression. He must ?prepare? himself mentally to be able toput on the correct social stunt woman before he makes his ?visit?(12). The rest of the poem simplyreinforces his struggle between the way he would like to be and the reality of his life. He begins to speak up over the ?overwhelming question?(11) ... ...e is ?almost ridiculous--/ Almost, at times,the Fool.?(118-119)Although many of the comments and interpretations of ?The Love Song of J. AlfredPrufrock? that I have read seem to believe that the last 4 stanzas are a sign that he may break outof his shell. I believe it is the surrender of all hope and the recognition of the inconceivability ofhis desires. I think lines 120-130 are Prufrock?s way of telling us of the dream of youth that hewill leave behind. He will not ?wear the bottoms of my trousers involute?(121) nor ?wear flanneltrousers, and walk upon the beach.? These are the customs and actions of you ng passionate men.Men whose physical appearance and less stuffy lifestyle will suck up the ?mermaids?(124). Heconcedes ?I do not think that they will sing to me.?(125) Prufrock leaves us with the thought ofhow life and society can force us from our dreams and cast off us with reality. ?We have lingered inthe chambers of the sea/ By sea-girls wreathed with seeweed red and brown/ Till human voiceswake us, and we drown.?(129-131) Works CitedEliot, T. S. ?The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.? imperturbable Poems 1909-1962 . New York Harcourt Brace, 1963.