1. The Love Song of Prufrock
The application of the New Critical technique of close reading to T. Alfred Prufrock" reveals a central, unifying theme of man's neurotic impotence. Paralysis invariably settles upon people when the world about them appears to collapse. This underlying journey or quest for human contact, which you accompany the narrator, Prufrock, on, is connected to the poem's central theme. We discover that the image of idealized beauty that Prufrock seeks is not attained because of his supposed, persistent inadequacy in social situations. Rather, he convinces himself that he is a failure and he retreats to his private world. .
The poem begins with a dramatic monologue. Prufrock asks you to walk with him through the streets of the city. The monologue is specifically directed at a listener or listeners whose presence is not directly referenced but is merely suggested in the speaker's words. In this form, the speaker seems to be addressing himself but is really speaking to the reader, who plays the part of the silent listener. It is possible that Prufrock is speaking to a potential lover, but it seems unlikely considering the manner in which he confides in the listener. As the first strophe begins, the opening two lines seem fairly romantic, but that assumption is dissipated by the simile of the "patient etherized upon a table." This line is far from romantic, at least in the normal sense of the word, and .
the following lines which allude to "muttering retreats", "cheap hotels" and streets which "follow like a tedious argument of insidious intent" fail to contribute romance of the poem. .
As Prufrock moves through the labyrinth of the city, images of the desolation and sordidness lead to the assumption that some blight has befallen the community. Prufrock's mind then leaps ahead to his destination, a room in which women "come and go/Talking of Michelangelo" (12-13). Next, Prufrock's attention turns to the smoke and fog that inhabit the narrow streets that he is traversing.
Alfred Prufrock," is the interior monlogue of a truly tragic character. ... "There you go then, you and I," This could be referring to Prufrock and himself, or Prufrock and his lover. ... This also becomes humorous as Prufrock does just that. ... Prufrock sees his age as the end of his romantic zeal. ... Alfred Prufrock. ...
Alfred Prufrock, written by T.S. ... The poem shows constant struggles of Prufrock's uselessness. ... Beauty plays a crucial role in Prufrock's paralysis. ... The readers get a clear image of what Prufrock looks like. ... Similar Prufrock no one is perfect. ...
Alfred Prufrock." ... Alfred Prufrock" has a very unusual poetic structure. ... Alfred Prufrock" can be recognized as a dramatic monologue from Prufrock's changing views on the life he has lived. ... In some cases though, Prufrock does change. ... As an example of dramatic monologues, "Prufrock" is perfect. ...
Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. ... Prufrock misses his mark by having paralyzing awareness with no action. ... The person whom these confessional thoughts are directed appears to exist in a realm imperforable to Prufrock. ... Prufrock becomes repetitive in assuring himself "there will be time" (26). ... But since Prufrock has remained entrapped by his sickened mind and twisted illusions. ...
Alfred Prufrock- represents J. Prufrock, a loser who has absolutely no confidence in his self. ... Eliot insinuates that Prufrock wants to, and pretends to have money. ... Prufrock obviously has absolutely zero confidence in himself. ... This shows the lack of confidence that Prufrock has in his self. ...
Alfred Prufrock" is an examination of the tortured psyche of a man who is looking for love, indecisive, educated, neurotic, and emotionally stilted. ... Prufrock knows too much of life to "dare" an approach to the woman. ... Prufrock is powerful for its range of intellectual reference and also for the vividness of character achieved. Prufrock" is a variation on the dramatic monologue. ... Prufrock's obsessiveness is aesthetic, but it is also a sign of compulsiveness and isolation. ...
This treatment will be Prufrock's examination of his life. ... These lines suggest that Prufrock has seen these women "come and go,"" suggesting that Prufrock has been around for some time (13). The line also implies that while others have come and gone from the social circles that Prufrock is apart of, Prufrock has stayed clear. ... This shows Prufrock's inability to seize the day. ... This shows how Prufrock is feared of being laughed at. ...