Literary Analysis Of The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock

Literary Analysis of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock The human psyche has perpetually been characterized by a nagging sense of doubt. When one makes the decision to follow through (or, rather, not follow through) with an action, it is unlikely that he does so without questioning whether he made the right choice; this is recurring theme in literature, evident in works such as Crime and Punishment and A Separate Peace. T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock explores the universal nature of hesitation and self-doubt as part of the human condition primarily through apt use of metaphor, syntax, and allusion. Eliot uses metaphor to relate accessible, physical entities and concepts to more abstract themes present in the poem. In†¦show more content†¦This disdain of superficiality contributes to Prufrocks inclination to avoid interactions with those who conformed to the shallow behavior that characterized the periods social decorum. He feels that everyone involved is putting on airs, participating in meaningless gathe rings in order to accomplish nothing, much like the measuring of coffee spoons. In line 57, Prufrock refers to himself as â€Å"sprawling on a pin.† This is a reference to the practice of sticking pins through live insects and watching them squirm, which was a common amusement for children at the time (Napierkowski 122). By establishing this comparison between Prufrock and an insect, Eliot describes the scrutiny that Prufrock believes himself to be under by relating it to a familiar, yet morbid childhood pastime. Not only does Prufrock feel the sting of a puncture wound that he is wriggling to be free of, but he is under the lens of his captors, painfully self aware and self conscious. The idea of â€Å"sprawling on a pin† also implies that Prufrock sees himself as a mere insect, a pest, lacking human capacities of expression. Eliot also uses syntax to establish thematic concepts. In stanzas 7 to 9, Prufrock muses about how he has â€Å"known them all,† (lines 4 5, 59,62) referring to the people andShow MoreRelatedLiterary Analysis Of The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock Essay1336 Words   |  6 PagesA Literary Analysis of T.S. Eliot’s â€Å"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock† T.S. Eliot was one among few poets and authors that dominated the years between the First and Second World Wars. Eliot showed his use of modernism techniques through â€Å"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock†, creating a powerful reputation around the world, particularly as a member of The Lost Generation in the 1920s. Eliot moved to and settled in London where he worked with famous poets including Ezra Pound, and published hisRead MoreThe Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Essay1524 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Question: Part A: Analyze the social and historical context of a particular poem Poem: T. S. Eliot, ‘The Love Song of J. 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