1. Briefly summarise the context of the poem.

T.S. Eliot was one of the most prominent poets of the Modernist era who addressed the paradigm and concerns
of the time through the use of the symbolic Modernist literary techniques such as stream of consciousness,
internal monologue, fragmentation and figurative language. These techniques were often used to reflect the
conventions of the Modernist era which was a reaction to the destruction and suffering that World War I had
caused to society as a whole. This led to the questioning and abandonment of previous religious beliefs and
ideals and the creation of new ideas and opinions which were expressed through art and literature. Eliot was one
of the earliest Modernists and led the movement through his now famous poems such as Portrait of a Lady.
2. Summarise each stanza and what exactly is being expressed in the poem in terms of meaning and context.
Part 1:
The first line, Among the smoke and fog of a December afternoon tells us what time of the year it is and
subtly foreshadows what the poem is about through the pathetic fallacy of smoke and fog, symbolising the
obscuring of truth and the facade that the male persona puts up when he is with the woman. The following lines
describe the atmosphere and setting of the room, darkened room and An atmosphere of Juliets tomb
highlighting the emptiness and soulless conversation that they have during these sessions. The lady speaks to
him in a pretentious tone, a reflection of the upper class society of the time, So intimate, this Chopin.... The
reference to music is used to describe the conversation, attentuated tones, Absurdly hammering, showing us
that they are not in harmony but are in fact in discord with each other. The lady also talks about how much
they mean to me, my friends... , as a compensation for the loneliness she feels and flatters the male persona,
fulfilling the social niceties that are in actuality, just empty, meaningless small talk.
Part 2:
The second part begins with Now that lilacs are in bloom signalling a shift in time to spring. This time, the
lady is complimenting his youth and how wonderful it is to be young. She uses high modality statements You
are invulnerable, you have no Achilles heel. You will go on..., as if she knows exactly who he is and is
defining him. The male persona shows the responder that this is not the case You will see me any morning in
the park/Reading the comics and the sporting page... showing us what hes actually thinking about during the
conversation. The lady expresses her jealousy of his youth and almost desperately seeks pity from the man, My
buried life, But what have I..., to which he doesnt respond. Despite this, she still tries to convince herself
that I am always sure that you understand/ My feelings..., allowing the responder to see how misguided her
perspective is.
Part 3:
The final part is in October, meaning their relationship has been for almost a year at this point. The male is now
arriving at her home for the final time And feel as if I had mounted on my hands and knees, showing us how
difficult this had become for him. Although the man is leaving, the lady insists, Perhaps you can write to me.
which he replies in internal monologue, This is as I had reckoned., emphasizing the fear that he will never
truly escape from her. At the end of her speech, she repeats a line from Part 2, I shall sit here, serving tea to
friends. This line describes her dependence on these meaningless social interactions with her friends and her
constant need to compensate for her true loneliness and lack of genuine connection with others. The poem ends
with the internal monologue of the man, asking himself rhetorical questions, Would she not have the advantage
after all?, And should I have the right to smile?, showing his uncertainty and how unsure about how he
should feel about the situation. He recognises his guilt and has torn feelings about leaving her, leaving the
responder with an ambiguous ending as well.
3. Explain the major techniques that are evident in the poem and how they help to create and enhance the
poems meaning.

4. Explain how this poem is an effective example of the concerns and conventions of Modernism.