The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”

By T.S Eliot

Who among us has not been to a social event or in a situation where they have felt uncomfortable or self conscience, perhaps at family events or at a party where the you are unfamiliar with the guest or even the host . However for some people this problem goes far beyond social events and seeps into daily life taking away happiness before it is even gained. In T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Love Song of Alfred Prufrock” the persona is so crippled by his social disorder and self consciousness he is not able to do anything without playing every possible outcome in his mind, this prevents him from having a close relationship with anyone around him. Throughout this work elements of imagery, theme, and metaphor, stand apart from the other elements. Immediately the poem starts with imagery of Alfred walking down the street with the reader .“Let us go you and I, When the evening is spread against the sky.” (Eliot line 1-2) This is used by Eliot as a way for the reader to follow Alfred and get a glimpse into his life in essence the reader is attending the party with Alfred. The lines “Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels and saw dust restaurants with oyster shells: streets that follow like a tedious argument of insidious

intent.” (lines 6-9) These lines let the reader view the streets of America in the early 1900’s,there was smoke everywhere from the fires of businesses and homes crime rates were probably high even in middle and upper class neighborhoods. Eliot describes Albert in the middle of the poem as a balding , thin, and middle-aged man, at this time most people were probably married and had children by the time they were Alfred’s age. This gives insight into Alfred’s condition it also lets the reader know how hard everything is on him. Simple everyday things are a struggle for Alfred going to a party , talking to his friends and finding a woman who can love and understand him seem to be impossible concepts to him.

The theme of Alfred trying to deal with his disabling condition is prevalent throughout the poem. Alfred says “there will be time” constantly throughout the poem this is how he deals with his problem and also reassures himself that if he doesn’t act on what he wants to he will have time to later on. Also in the line “Do I dare disturb the universe.”(45-46) This is Alfred’s way of saying should I throw off the balance of the relationship I have with these people by showing interest in a woman that I like or by acting in a way my friends would find improper. Alfred shows interest in one of the female with the line “But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair is it the perfume from a dress that makes me so digress ?” He then goes on to say he should have been a crab that just