(no subject)
Er, Lauren my essay is under the cut...
Through universal themes, poetry can connect people with those who are completely different. The “hero” in the poem, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot, seems to be a stiff, lawful citizen, but as a person reads further, he becomes just an average person, aging and wise. His common outlooks on various subjects cause the reader to connect with Prufrock. Bagchee suggests the poem has “a strange and powerful hold on the imagination.” (1), giving it universal appeal to everyone. In the poem, Eloit uses imagery of perfection, allusions to fictional characters, metaphors to convey the extraordinary, and pleasantries hiding the truth to emphasis how each person is unique in society’s strict environment.
Through imagery of perfection, Eliot expresses the need not to conform to ideals of both mind and body, yet still be part of the crowd. Prufrock, confused over which ideal to follow, “is doomed… to try and sing his love song, to waiver between… [the] desire to sing and a desire to conform.” (Bagchee 11). Constantly restarting himself, with lines like, “And how should I begin?” (Eliot 69), Prufrock reveals his insecurities. Because of Prufrock’s insecurities, he does not understand how to handle it, so “[in the] mundane matters of “the cups, the marmalade, the tea” appear… [an] attempt to communicate.” (Bloom 19). The repetition of the line “women come and go/ Talking of Michelangelo” (Eliot 13-4), suggests that imperfections are noticed and are frowned upon by women. One of Michelangelo’s best-known works is the statue, David. Although David is a statue, not a living being, he may represent the “perfect male”. The repetition also suggests ideals as trivial. Because women, for Prufrock, are hard to communicate with, he sees himself as imperfect, unable to receive attention. “The rhyme suggests idle tea party chitchat- trivialization of art” (Bloom 17), drawing attention to the perfect instead of to the reality, the aging of men. Prufrock makes several references to female perfection and beauty throughout the poem. Lines like “braceleted and white and bare” (Eliot 63) or “Is it perfume from a dress/ That makes me so digress?” (65-6) put emphasis on bodily perfection, instead of mental perfection. Prufrock makes several comments on his appearance. An example that Prufrock mentions is, “How his hair is growing thin!” (41). He views himself as an unappealing person, and instead of becoming who he wants to be, “He is hoping that by conforming… he may be able to keep the backbiting women… at bay.” (Bagchee 12). Prufrock remains faced with the comparison of perfection against his imperfections, and throughout his “love song”, the confusion on which ideal to follow is palpable.
Prufrock becomes surrounded by the idea of conformity, causing him to question who he is and wants to be. The poem uses allusions to compare Prufrock to Hamlet and to Lazarus, pointing out Prufrock’s shortcomings. In reference to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he says “No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be” (Eliot 111). Rollyson suggests that Prufrock is “Similar to Shakespeare’s Hamlet… [who] muses on his existence and whether life is worth living.”(1). Later, in reference to Lazarus, Prufrock says “I am Lazarus, come from the dead” (Eliot 94). Lazarus, a biblical figure, comes to tell his tale after being raised from the dead. “Prufrock imagines he also has a… revelation to tell… but is prevented from voicing it.” (Bloom 19), because Prufrock seems to believe that although his story may be important, not many people will care. Bagchee states that the “Voice in the Lazarus speech is really a joke.” (Eliot 4), reflecting Prufrock’s lack of belief in himself. Eliot’s strong use of powerful literary characters in “Prufrock” shows a lack of confidence and a lack of belief in the strength within his mind.
Eliot uses repetition and metaphors to show the extraordinary aspects in Prufrock’s normally dull life. By using ordinary objects, he explains concepts like time and space. Lines like, “I have measured my life with coffee spoons” (51) helps illustrate the point. Because Prufrock has “measured out his life in coffee spoons… only he seems to recognize there is more to life.” (Bagchee 12). He also explains these concepts, but adds an ordinary daily task to make it seem so much greater to the human mind. For example, “time yet for a hundred indecisions, / And for a hundred visions and revisions, / Before the taking of a toast of tea.” (Eliot 32-4) relates the amount of thought and all that happens between daily events, like teatime. An idea of the passage of time appears to repeat, both in his mind and throughout the poem, made obvious by Bloom’s observation, “The word time recurring eight times in the forth stanza alone… too much time on his hands.” (18). It does not appear that Prufrock has many pressures in his life, giving him time to think. He also gives the idea that a single person can change everything, saying, “Do I dare/ Disturb the universe?” (Eliot 45-6). Prufrock “questions within… from the direct possibility of “Do I dare?” and “Shall I say?” (Dyson 1), repeating the idea of insecurity. The idea of the infinity of time repeats in several forms. The lines, “In a minute there is time/ For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.” (Eliot 47-8) emphasizes how a minute can be infinite. The use of mythical creatures emphasizes the idea of the extraordinary within a normal life. The line, “I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.” (124) shows this point. There is the “concern of reality…[with] ideas that are realities and not abstractions.” (“EXPLANATION” 1), deciding whether Prufrock wishes he is knowledgeable, or whether he knows the truth but can’t give voice to it. Eliot’s use of metaphor and the repetition of key words show Prufrock’s uncertainty in his beliefs and the ordinary events that become extraordinary .
Throughout the poem, Eliot uses pleasantries to hide the truth that comes with life. The idea of growing older repeated, with lines like, “With a bald spot in the middle of my hair” (Eliot 40), or “I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled” (121). Because “Prufrock is bothered by the…opinions of his appearance.” (Bagchee 12), he attempts to hide them in his more positive aspects. Pleasantries also reveal themselves in themes of time. An example he uses is, “For I have known them all already, known them all- / Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons.” (Eliot 49-50). It shows that while life brings knowledge, it also brings repetition. With long life also comes the knowledge of unpleasantries. Prufrock shows this with the statement, “I know the voices dying with a dying fall/ Beneath the music from a farther room.” (52-3), referencing to the sound of a person committing suicide, hidden by the attitude that such things do not happen. Bagchee comments that “The inadequacy of reason and morality… make sense of our experience” (1) and that a finality of life helps people to understand what life really is. The pleasantries in life hide what people try to avoid, but to become aware, as Prufrock begins to realize, a person must look past them.
Using imagery of perfection, allusion to story characters, metaphor to convey the extraordinary, and pleasantries hiding the truth, Eliot emphasized the importance of originality through Prufrock’s failed attempts to break free from society’s standards. Eliot’s use of metaphor, allusion and imagery help illustrate the point that each person is unique. By including daily experiences readers can relate to, the reader is placed into a state of comfort, and, instead of treating the poem as something useless and overly emotional, the reader can connect with Prufrock. In “EXPLANATION”, it is mentioned that the “use of old conventions and new ones keep poetry ‘in touch with a changing world’” (1). The fact that everyone can recognize the imagery and description used, shows the universal appeal of poetry, while at the same time, it gives the reader a sense of individuality within a group.
Through universal themes, poetry can connect people with those who are completely different. The “hero” in the poem, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot, seems to be a stiff, lawful citizen, but as a person reads further, he becomes just an average person, aging and wise. His common outlooks on various subjects cause the reader to connect with Prufrock. Bagchee suggests the poem has “a strange and powerful hold on the imagination.” (1), giving it universal appeal to everyone. In the poem, Eloit uses imagery of perfection, allusions to fictional characters, metaphors to convey the extraordinary, and pleasantries hiding the truth to emphasis how each person is unique in society’s strict environment.
Through imagery of perfection, Eliot expresses the need not to conform to ideals of both mind and body, yet still be part of the crowd. Prufrock, confused over which ideal to follow, “is doomed… to try and sing his love song, to waiver between… [the] desire to sing and a desire to conform.” (Bagchee 11). Constantly restarting himself, with lines like, “And how should I begin?” (Eliot 69), Prufrock reveals his insecurities. Because of Prufrock’s insecurities, he does not understand how to handle it, so “[in the] mundane matters of “the cups, the marmalade, the tea” appear… [an] attempt to communicate.” (Bloom 19). The repetition of the line “women come and go/ Talking of Michelangelo” (Eliot 13-4), suggests that imperfections are noticed and are frowned upon by women. One of Michelangelo’s best-known works is the statue, David. Although David is a statue, not a living being, he may represent the “perfect male”. The repetition also suggests ideals as trivial. Because women, for Prufrock, are hard to communicate with, he sees himself as imperfect, unable to receive attention. “The rhyme suggests idle tea party chitchat- trivialization of art” (Bloom 17), drawing attention to the perfect instead of to the reality, the aging of men. Prufrock makes several references to female perfection and beauty throughout the poem. Lines like “braceleted and white and bare” (Eliot 63) or “Is it perfume from a dress/ That makes me so digress?” (65-6) put emphasis on bodily perfection, instead of mental perfection. Prufrock makes several comments on his appearance. An example that Prufrock mentions is, “How his hair is growing thin!” (41). He views himself as an unappealing person, and instead of becoming who he wants to be, “He is hoping that by conforming… he may be able to keep the backbiting women… at bay.” (Bagchee 12). Prufrock remains faced with the comparison of perfection against his imperfections, and throughout his “love song”, the confusion on which ideal to follow is palpable.
Prufrock becomes surrounded by the idea of conformity, causing him to question who he is and wants to be. The poem uses allusions to compare Prufrock to Hamlet and to Lazarus, pointing out Prufrock’s shortcomings. In reference to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he says “No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be” (Eliot 111). Rollyson suggests that Prufrock is “Similar to Shakespeare’s Hamlet… [who] muses on his existence and whether life is worth living.”(1). Later, in reference to Lazarus, Prufrock says “I am Lazarus, come from the dead” (Eliot 94). Lazarus, a biblical figure, comes to tell his tale after being raised from the dead. “Prufrock imagines he also has a… revelation to tell… but is prevented from voicing it.” (Bloom 19), because Prufrock seems to believe that although his story may be important, not many people will care. Bagchee states that the “Voice in the Lazarus speech is really a joke.” (Eliot 4), reflecting Prufrock’s lack of belief in himself. Eliot’s strong use of powerful literary characters in “Prufrock” shows a lack of confidence and a lack of belief in the strength within his mind.
Eliot uses repetition and metaphors to show the extraordinary aspects in Prufrock’s normally dull life. By using ordinary objects, he explains concepts like time and space. Lines like, “I have measured my life with coffee spoons” (51) helps illustrate the point. Because Prufrock has “measured out his life in coffee spoons… only he seems to recognize there is more to life.” (Bagchee 12). He also explains these concepts, but adds an ordinary daily task to make it seem so much greater to the human mind. For example, “time yet for a hundred indecisions, / And for a hundred visions and revisions, / Before the taking of a toast of tea.” (Eliot 32-4) relates the amount of thought and all that happens between daily events, like teatime. An idea of the passage of time appears to repeat, both in his mind and throughout the poem, made obvious by Bloom’s observation, “The word time recurring eight times in the forth stanza alone… too much time on his hands.” (18). It does not appear that Prufrock has many pressures in his life, giving him time to think. He also gives the idea that a single person can change everything, saying, “Do I dare/ Disturb the universe?” (Eliot 45-6). Prufrock “questions within… from the direct possibility of “Do I dare?” and “Shall I say?” (Dyson 1), repeating the idea of insecurity. The idea of the infinity of time repeats in several forms. The lines, “In a minute there is time/ For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.” (Eliot 47-8) emphasizes how a minute can be infinite. The use of mythical creatures emphasizes the idea of the extraordinary within a normal life. The line, “I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.” (124) shows this point. There is the “concern of reality…[with] ideas that are realities and not abstractions.” (“EXPLANATION” 1), deciding whether Prufrock wishes he is knowledgeable, or whether he knows the truth but can’t give voice to it. Eliot’s use of metaphor and the repetition of key words show Prufrock’s uncertainty in his beliefs and the ordinary events that become extraordinary .
Throughout the poem, Eliot uses pleasantries to hide the truth that comes with life. The idea of growing older repeated, with lines like, “With a bald spot in the middle of my hair” (Eliot 40), or “I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled” (121). Because “Prufrock is bothered by the…opinions of his appearance.” (Bagchee 12), he attempts to hide them in his more positive aspects. Pleasantries also reveal themselves in themes of time. An example he uses is, “For I have known them all already, known them all- / Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons.” (Eliot 49-50). It shows that while life brings knowledge, it also brings repetition. With long life also comes the knowledge of unpleasantries. Prufrock shows this with the statement, “I know the voices dying with a dying fall/ Beneath the music from a farther room.” (52-3), referencing to the sound of a person committing suicide, hidden by the attitude that such things do not happen. Bagchee comments that “The inadequacy of reason and morality… make sense of our experience” (1) and that a finality of life helps people to understand what life really is. The pleasantries in life hide what people try to avoid, but to become aware, as Prufrock begins to realize, a person must look past them.
Using imagery of perfection, allusion to story characters, metaphor to convey the extraordinary, and pleasantries hiding the truth, Eliot emphasized the importance of originality through Prufrock’s failed attempts to break free from society’s standards. Eliot’s use of metaphor, allusion and imagery help illustrate the point that each person is unique. By including daily experiences readers can relate to, the reader is placed into a state of comfort, and, instead of treating the poem as something useless and overly emotional, the reader can connect with Prufrock. In “EXPLANATION”, it is mentioned that the “use of old conventions and new ones keep poetry ‘in touch with a changing world’” (1). The fact that everyone can recognize the imagery and description used, shows the universal appeal of poetry, while at the same time, it gives the reader a sense of individuality within a group.