1. The Love Song of Prufrock
The "yellow fog" in the fourth strophe, could be interpreted to reflect the polluted environment of the modern city. The image is ambiguous, however, because Eliot utilizes an exact precision bestowing the fog with cat-like attributes. Eliot writes that it "licked its tongue into the corners of the evening." Eliot uses specific words and phrases in his comparison: "rubs its back upon the window-panes", "rubs its muzzle", "made a sudden leap", and even "curled once about the house, and fell asleep." .
As the image of the cat unable to enter the house alludes, Prufrock cannot make a decision and follow through with his intentions. The fog/cat seems to be looking in on the roomful of fashionable women "talking of Michelangelo." Unable to enter, it stagnantly resides on the outside of the house, and we can imagine Prufrock pathetically avoiding, yet yearning for human contact in a similar way. Prufrock's persistent social indecision is underscored throughout the poem by Eliot's repetition of particular phrases and words. For example the phrase the women "talking of Michelangelo" echoes Prufrock's self-isolation.
The fourth verse sees Prufrock considering whether or not he will ever motivate himself. There are references to his baldness, which again conjures up the image that time may be running out if he continues to refrain from positive action. Prufrock mourns the gauntness of his arms and legs. He is clearly under the impression that other people look down on him, or that they are mocking his inadequacy in some way. For Prufrock, the most miniscule of actions presents reason to fear that he will "Disturb the universe." Prufrock does not seem to be questioning the meaning of life itself, but he is still too afraid to leave his own small world. .
The sixth verse displays a self-conscious paranoia, with Prufrock imagining himself as a butterfly that is "pinned and wriggling on the wall.
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. ...