The Chambers of a Mans Mind.
Eliot portrays Prufrock as being a lonely, insignificant man who has imprisoned himself within the chambers of his mind. Prufrock lacks confidence, has no conviction, and wastes his time in neurotic self-absorption. Prufrock has devoted his entire life to preparinga face to meet the faces that you meet? (L.27), but his neurotic self-absorption and lack of self-worth have prevented him from becoming a significant man. Prufrock's doubts and uncertainty have left him paralyzedlike a patient etherized upon a table? (L.3). As a result, he has become obsessed about what his past indiscretions were, his place in society now, and his destiny in the future.
Prufrock has led an inconsequential life, which he hasmeasured out with coffee spoons? (L.51). He has personally experienced theinsidious intent? (L.9) of the grimy city streets, and his own personal transgressions have left him a forlorn, isolated man. His loneliness has prevented him from acquiring any kind of prestigious place in society. Likethe pools that stand in drains,? (L.18) andthe soot that falls from chimneys,?(L.16), Prufrock has fallen into the labyrinth of his subconscious where he has finally found solace and accepted his place in society.
Prufrock has never been a confident man. He has always held a low place in society. Prufrock has walked along thehalf-deserted streets? (L.4) and experienced therestless nights in one-night cheap hotels? (L.7), and this is where he feels sheltered and secure. Prufrock has spent his entire life in solitude under the cover of darkness and security. So, even though he yearns to mingle among the womentalking of Michelangelo? (L.36), Prufrock is unable to leave the cloak of the fog that shrouds his scandalous past indiscretions of thearms that are braceleted and white and bare? (L.63). Prufrock's inability to leave behind the demons of his previous life inhibits him from being confident enough to mingle among the upper class women of high society.