Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, though well-written poetically, does not live up to its name. It is neither a poem about love nor is it a song. The poem simply expresses Prufrock’s indecision about life and women. Interpretation of the entire poem must rely on the epigraph for a complete understanding of Eliot’s intent and theme. The theme of indecision runs consistently through the point of view Eliot chose, as well as through setting, characters, tone and the use of repetition, imagery and metaphors.
The poem begins with an epigraph borrowed from Dante’s Inferno written in Italian, just as originally written by Dante. The quote is spoken in Dante’s Inferno by Guido da Montefeltro in the eighth circle of hell. Guido tells Dante that “If I thought that my reply would be to someone who would ever return to earth, this flame would remain without further movement: but as no one has ever returned alive from this gulf, if what I hear is true, I can answer you with no fear of infamy.”. Guido is concerned about his reputation just as we find out Prufrock is in this poem. With the introduction as an epigraph, Eliot quickly advises the reader of the intent of the protagonist. This is almost like a precaution given to the reader about Prufrock’s inability to express his feelings outside of a poem. The epigraph prepares the reader along with the title of the poem, and shows Prufrock’s fear of exposing his feelings and implies he is doing so knowing that it is in private. The epigraph also shows how Prufrock feels about his isolation; like he is in hell. The theme of isolation and loneliness is first presented in the epigraph. Eliot continues to add layers to the inadequacies of Prufrock as he exposes the indecisiveness he holds so near to him.
The poem is written as a monologue, as seen instantly in the first line of the poem “Let us go then, you and I”. In this first line, Prufrock speaks to a “you”. This could be you the reader or someone in particular, such as the character in Dante’s writing in the epigraph. Or, it could be whoever cares to listen, although the epigraph eludes to the idea that no one is listening. Using the point of view of the first person, Eliot skillfully portrays the insecurities of Prufrock the protagonist. The use of first person allows the reader to develop an understanding of Prufrock and his feelings of fear and indecision . Eliot uses the first person also to get the point across to the reader that the experience Prufrock is having is personal and private. Using the first person in this situation keeps the reader attached to the character and less judging of the character as would likely happen if third person was used. Many changes to the poem would have to occur in order to relay it in third person. The use of first person helps to illuminate the theme of the poem.
The only real complete character presented throughout the poem is Prufrock. Eliot mentions you, us and we throughout various points in the poem, but does not disclose who that is; likely on purpose. He mentions the women quite often throughout his poem. He refers to their arms, jewelry, and clothing. And, then near the end of the poem, he discusses mermaids and sea-girls. Prufrock does not give clear definition to the women, however. He does personify and describe many other inanimate objects in more detail. The yellow fog and smoke have life-like qualities beginning in line 15. The waves of the sea also have white hair in line 27.
Prufrock does provide a description of himself. He does so through his actions metaphorically, and in great detail. He characterizes himself as fearful and indecisive. Although at one point, Prufrock does attempt to ensure the reader that he has already lived, and he is choosing not to at this time. Prufrock is motivated by fear. We are given a clear picture of his state of mind as it is revealed as the poem progresses. Prufrock is a middle aged man, as he reveals that he has a bald spot in his hair. He is living in a suburban industrial city. He seems to have once loved and is unsure about attempting to love again. He speaks of knowing the experiences of love and speaks of, it seems, his current situation. He is not speaking of his love for any particular woman but for the desire to not be alone anymore. He wants this but is inflicted with fear. He is very hard on himself, calling himself “ridiculous” and “the Fool” in lines 118 and 119. Prufrock also thinks of things in the worst case scenario. He attempts to get the reader to feel sorry for him as he measures his existence with the amount of coffee he has drank. Prufrock is very insecure as revealed in “Do I dare? Do I dare?”. He is fearful but longs for something desperately. Yet, he talks himself out of doing what he wants. He is so shy and insecure, yet has the ability to speak eloquently throughout the poem. He is left immobilized by his fear of being misunderstood. The character of Prufrock plays perfectly into the theme.
The setting plays a significant role in revealing the hell in which Prufrock is living. The setting emphasizes the loneliness and depression of the character. The setting also contributes to the theme of the poem. He references the setting often throughout the poem and provides the reader with striking images: half deserted streets with yellow fog, cheap hotels and restaurants with saw dust on the floors. The fog is a perfect reference to Prufrock’s state of mind and of being in hell.
The reader is also given subtle hints about the setting. It is likely evening as he refers to tea time. He is at or near some sort of social event where people, specifically the women, are discussing art. He states that it is in October. All of these pieces of the setting also play perfectly into the theme. At tea time, people are likely more tired, relaxed and perhaps even alone. Prufrock is not at the social event, thus we are again reminded of loneliness or isolation. And, it is the month of October, when the warm summer has left, and color has left nature in a neutral tone.
Eliot’s use of repetition, clear images and metaphors throughout the poem make it delightful to read. The use of repetition throughout the poem “Let us go” and “There will be time” displays the theme of indecision quite well. The imagery created of an individual on an operating room table given an anesthetic to numb the pain in the beginning of the poem is perfectly set. The metaphors also play well into the them: comparing the fog to a cat, and says he should have been claws on the floor of the sea. Eliot uses smooth poetic words throughout the poem, yet we are left to wonder what his love is for or whom is the object of his love. It is possible that his love is simply for indecision and aloneness, and he longs for love that he claims he has known before. Or, at least he has known the women before. Imagery in the form of simile is ever present throughout the poem. Beginning in the first verse of the epigram: Like a patient etherized upon a table. Later, the yellow fog slipped by the terrace, and made a sudden leap. This gives life to the world around him, more life than he has within himself it appears. The poem is very well written with rhyme and meter varying throughout. Yet, it is hard to imagine it is a love song.
References
Brizee, Allen, et al. Formalism. 12 October 2011. <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/03/>.
Kelly, Joseph. The Seagull Reader. New York: Norton, 2002. Print.
Locke, Frederick W. "Dante and T.S. Eliot's Prufrock." MLN 78.1 (1963): 51-59. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/3042942 >.
Weitz, Morris. "T.S. Eliot: Time as a Mode of Salvation." The Sewanee Review 60.1 (1952): 48-64. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/27538117 >.
Williamson, George. A reader's guide to TS Eliot: a poem-by-poem analysis. Syracuse University Press, 1998.
