Based on the title I figured this poem would be lighthearted and filled with positive imagery. I guess after reading The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter I should have known better than to assume that just because a poem is called a love song or love letter doesn’t mean it will be happy. As soon as I began reading, I instantly realized this poem was going to be depressing. Eliot begins with a simile comparing the night sky to a patient under anesthesia stretched out on an operating table. I found this comparison very odd and disturbing. When I think of love, I don’t think of hospitals or death. After reading through the entire work, I decided this simile was a good way of setting the tone for the entire poem. Just like the lifeless patient, J. Alfred Prufrock himself is lifeless, empty, and lonely. He discusses his inadequacy and shortcomings during the majority of the poem. It is upsetting how Prufrock felt embarrassed by almost every aspect of his life. He mentions his dissatisfaction with his aging body and balding head. In addition to his appearance he is dissatisfied with who he is as a person. He lacks the admiration, creativity, and respect of Hamlet and Michelangelo.
I like how the poem has many repetitions, for they help portray J. Alfred Prufrock’s dull life and his indecisiveness. Day after day he feels secluded and endures mockery. Prufrock feels that people are just like the days of his life in the fact that they are all the same. If all women are the same, he feels there is no point in even asking out this woman he loves. He knows what it is like to not be loved in return, so he decides it is best to go through that pain again. After reading this part of the poem, I was conflicted about whether or not to pity Prufrock. I agree that it would be frustrating to live a life with little change especially when the days are unpleasant and filled with mockery. However, by assuming that everyone is the same, he misses out on many experiences. His loneliness is partly his fault.
Although the subject matter is sad, the poem is very enjoyable. From the beginning, Eliot pulls the reader in with detailed descriptions. I could easily picture the yellow fog, hotels, and half-deserted streets. I especially enjoyed the rhyming and Eliot's extensive use of imagery. There were several places in the poem in which I felt like I should have felt sad, but the rhyming and word choice made me laugh instead.
Hi Katelynn, Thanks for the great response. "Prufrock" is a tough poem, but you focused on several of its key elements, especially the irony of a "love song" from a man unable to express love--a song that is never sung. I agree--the poem is a bit depressing, but interesting too. Good job commenting on the poem. dw
ReplyDeleteHello katelynn,
ReplyDeleteI had the same impression as I began to read The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. The rhyming and sort of sing song pattern with the repetition reminds me of something happy, light and cheerful that I learned when I was a kid, but as soon as you actually pay attention to those words, you realize that it’s far from happy. It’s very ironic and seems contradicting that he choose that pattern. I guess the point is to shock the reader right?
It seems that all of Prufrock’s insecurities are things that most people struggle with, but Prufrock allows those things to rule his mind and intimately affect his decisions in life. In a small way I relate to Prufrock in the repetitiveness and monotony of his life. I think everyone has times in their life when things are sort of mundane and daily life can be predicted far in advance. The difference between the average person and Prufrock, is that it seems this feeling of mediocrity is sticking with him way too long. I completely agree that his loneliness is partly his fault. While it is very easy to slip into low parts of your life and stay there much longer than anticipated, iIt is a choice to pull out and be an engaging member of society again. He seems to make little effort.
I also agree that the poem is enjoyable. While it has its modernist influence, the rhyming and vivid imagery reminds of the simple pre-modernism poetry that never ceases to make you smile. It’s easy to read and sounds good out loud, even though it’s not very encouraging. I enjoyed reading your response, and I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one that laughed while reading.