Kameron Hunter Stephen Bell Engl 102-019 5 April 2012 Prufrocks Despair T.S.

Eliots The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock bears a title that draws in the reader with the expectation of a bright and flowery love tale. While it is true that strong romantic emotions are held by at least one character, the writer of this particular song is nothing but cheery. It is more of a poem of fear, shame, and sorrow over inadequacies and long-lost opportunities. This is less of a love story than it is the tale of a man who found his ultimate vice which he could not overcome, even unto death: fear. The poems introduction begins with a quotation from Dantes Inferno, a poem written by Dante Alighieri, in Italian. Eliot quoted a man who was condemned to the eighth circle of hell, starting the poem with a tone of hopelessness and despair. As the poem begins, Prufrock is seen addressing the one whom can only be assumed is his love-interest. Prufrock has invited the woman to go with him to a gathering of socialites as a cover to find an opportunity to be alone with her, that he might ask his question. In the first stanza, the reader should note that the route that Prufrock has chosen to take is long; long enough for him to build up the courage to address his love interest. However, he doesnt get much further than mentioning that he has a question before his fear takes over and he decides to wait until after or during the social gathering. Prufrock is extremely anxious at the gathering, constantly meditating on what will occur, when he can overcome his fear, and observing his surroundings with distaste. Prufrock knows that the party will be long. There will be time yet for a hundred indecisions, and for a hundred visions

and revisions He is trapped within his own mind and despairs over his indecision. Prufrock knows that time will seem to slow down as he gives in to fear over and over, and as he imagines asking her his question, only to see that he lacks the courage to act out his fantasies. Additionally, Prufrocks entire reason for attending the party is for the sole purpose of gaining the opportunity to pursue his love-interest further. He does not seem to enjoy the people or the atmosphere. He is self-conscious about his appearance and seems to either perceive that the particular crowd attending the social event are highly judgmental, or is paranoid. He feels he cannot say one phrase without stumbling in word, and thereby giving others the opportunity to label him and mock him as if he were the newest specimen of an entomologist on display. Prufrocks feelings of entrapment only continue to grow as he realizes that he has nothing in common with the people that are attending. He has nothing to speak with them about and he finds all the talk of art, wearing of glamorous accessories, and elaborate decorations to be alienating to him. Prufrock feels that if he were to communicate with them on his own level he would be a pair of ragged claws scuttling across the floors of silent seas, or nothing more than a irritating and distracting noise in a situation that doesnt warrant such nonsense. These observations result in Prufrock isolating himself from the crowds of people who are socializing and despairing over his fear of men and of rejection. On that same night Prufrock finds himself relaxing with his love-interest after the party had ended, only feeling more discouraged than ever. Once again he is lamenting over his age and appearance, and imagining scenarios of overcoming his fears. These musings however, are increasingly crippling to himself. In the beginning of the story Prufrock had a variety of scenarios being conceived in his imagination, which both discouraged him and gave him hope. At this point however, every daydream is met with the tragic end of rejection immediately. His tone is now the voice

of one who has been defeated. He asks multiple times would it have been worth it, as if the opportunity to act in such a way were now impossible. Prufrock concludes finally that the risk that he did not take would not have been worth the pain after all. He decides to give up and grow old until his demise. In end, J. Alfred Prufrock is enslaved to his fear. He fears rejection from socialites and the one he loves. He fears chances and risks, refusing to accept even the chance of failure. He fears others perception of his appearance, interests, and speech. As a result, he has become bitter toward himself for the inability to overcome his fears. Because Prufrock has ceased to fight his fears, for the rest of his life he stands condemned of himself, wondering just how much his fear will consume him.