Questions on “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot
- Who is Alfred Prufrock?
- Alfred Prufrock is a fictitious character the writer uses to communicate to the reader throughout the poem. Eliot portrays him as an unhappy and frustrated man who finds himself in a social life routine. The poem brings out Prufrock as an unattractive middle-aged man (Eliot, line 40). Due to his timid nature, Prufrock does not feel comfortable living in that kind of life and feels isolated from the rest of the world. His fears make it difficult for him to socialize and even approach women. TS Eliot uses this character to represent the afflictions of modern city life.
- What are some of the contemporary issues addressed in the poem?
Prufrock’s inability to communicate with others illustrates the problem of communication that people encounter in the modern world. The speaker’s lack of communication primarily stems from the fact that he is always lonely. In the contemporary world, isolated individuals always find it difficult to mingle and associate with others. To a great extent, this situation often leads to depression as such individuals find it hard to continue living that way.
The poem similarly addresses the futility of life experienced in the current society. TS Eliot communicates the poem’s message in a way that the reader gets a personal view of the community in which Prufrock lives. Prufrock’s desire for love is hindered by his coward nature, a situation that makes it difficult to get a life partner. The inability to acquire a lifetime partner is a severe issue that individuals encounter in modern society.
- Who is the “you” and “I”?
The poem is a dramatic monologue, where “you” and “I” are the same person. The address is a battle of Prufrock’s two inner selves, where one part seems to hold back the other. The writer uses “you” to represent Prufrock’s confident self that always insists on taking on the world and set him free from loneliness and isolation. “Let’s go then, you and I” (Eliot, line 1). “I,” is Prufrock’s timid self that does not dare to confidently decide on overcoming the tribulations that he faces in that particular society.
- What goes on around him?
Prufrock is a middle-aged man, who the writer uses his thoughts to communicate the intended message to the reader throughout the poem. The writer provides us with Prufrock’s monologue with himself on taking over the world and leading a healthy life as it should be. One part of him has the urge to face his fears and overcome his loneliness confidently. The other part lacks the audacity to overcome his troubles, despite being a middle-aged man. “To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?” (Eliot, line45). Prufrock continues to search for love in an uncertain world, but his thoughts seem to hold him back.
Work cited
Eliot, Thomas Stearns. The love song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Strelbytskyy Multimedia Publishing, 2019.