A Critical Analysis and Literary

Summary of "The Love Song of J.

Alfred Prufrock" by T. S. Eliot
Updated on November 28, 2018

Dani Merrier 
 more

Katleigh is a college student with a love for dystopian novels, political poetry,
and words that are too big to use in normal conversation.
Contact Author

Introduction to The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, like much of T. S. Eliot's work, questions societal norms and
points out the flawed living of empty social rituals and linguistic cliches (Damrosch 733). It is a
story that echoes into today's hollow society and tells the tale of one man's experience with
unrequited love and a greater longing for something bigger than "tea and cakes and ices" (Eliot
736). A product of his times, our main man seems to feel out of place - and rightfully so. J. Alfred
Prufrock, the pessimistic protagonist, seeks deeper meaning in the seemingly meaningless
actions of those around him, using powerful literary devices to pull the reader deep into his world.
He is stifled by their petty standards and feels helpless, while at the same time grappling with his
feelings for a woman whom he thinks wouldn't understand his hesitations. Prufrock is caught
between his own dismal introspection and the longing for a companion who is part of the
problem. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock grapples with unbridled emotions and a deep
introspection that hits the reader and entices them to think past their own reservations. While it
serves as a depiction of the time, it still holds meaning to many of us in a more modern era.
A major theme throughout The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is a feeling of listlessness and wanting, but
afraid of what might be yet to come. | Source

The Effects of T. S. Eliot's Writing

This distress that so many felt with modern life was carried by Elliot across nations, where his
American writing style edited the British canon. As a naturalized British citizen who was born and
raised in the southern United States, he worked as an editor and laid the foundation for what was
to be known as New Criticism, a literary model widely utilized by universities across English-
speaking nations at the time. (733). While many literary experts consider a set of four poems
called the Four Quarters to be his crowning achievement, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is
what first thrust Eliot into London's literary scene (733). While it is a meaningful piece of work in
its own right, the poem is often seen as a counterpoint to the dramatic monologue written by the
nineteenth-century poet, Robert Browning (733).

His work remains widespread to this day, with many of his readers having the first contact
through literature classes in secondary or post-secondary school.

The "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock was published in 1915 and is a product of
changing Victorian values and the tension shortly before World War I.
T. S. Eliot on the cover of Time magazine.

A Short Biography of T. S. Eliot

Allusions and Literary References
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock begins with a quote from Dante Alighieri's Inferno in the
original Italian, the first of many outside literary references Eliot makes. The poem seems to be
steeped in allusions, which lends an air of authority to J. Alfred Prufrock's narrative. This literary
device also gives the reader an impression that Prufrock is well-educated and intelligent, hinting
at his middle or upper-class status in society. It later uses several Biblical references; the first
occurrence is a direct mention of the story of Lazarus, while the others allude to lesser known
stories, such as John the Baptist's death when referring to his head upon a platter, as well as the
passages in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 that refer to a time to murder and create (Eliot 734). In addition to
 adding a somber tone throughout the poem, it also gives the reader a lens to see Prufrock's true
self; a quiet man with a deep knowledge and passive acceptance. With a Biblical backdrop, one
can see that Prufrock, in some ways, adheres to the social conventions at the time and is in touch
with at least some of them - even if it is begrudgingly so. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock also
alludes to Shakespeare's Hamlet, with Prufrock pointing out that he is not as courageous and is
happy as (sarcastically so, one could presume) "an attendant lord… deferential, glad to be of
use" and not Prince Hamlet (Eliot 734). He is once again showing his meek nature and
unwillingness to take a leading role in even his own life.

Many of the references made in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock allude to several Biblical
stories. | Source

Why are you researching The Love Song of J. Alfred

Prufrock?
 For school or university

 For leisure
See results
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use,
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous--
Almost, at times, the Fool.
— Lines 111-119, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

J. Alfred Prufrock's Perception of Himself

One of the first things the reader notices is Prufrock's own self-doubt and social awkwardness,
continuously recounting how others may make fun of his physical features at his every action,
from the turning of his head (They will say: How his hair is growing thin!) to his choice of
apparently unflattering clothing (They will say: But how his arms and legs are thin!) (Eliot 735). He
is upset that others view him mostly by his physical appearance and seemingly strange
demeanor, instead of by his true intentions and feelings. This lingering doubt that others place on
his shoulders weigh heavy on Prufrock. This is evident later on, when towards the end of the
poem, he reiterates this, asking himself how he should part his own hair and whether a peach is
too messy for him to eat in public. It becomes scathingly evident that Prufrock is as unconfident in
his own actions as he is in others' inaction. However, he seems to cling to his religious faith and a
satirical view of life as a method of coping, in his multitude of Biblical allusions, whether as a
guide or a means of relatable characters.

Prufrock is the anti-hero of his own story, never reaching his goal of asking the woman he cares
for so dearly to share their lives nor truly resolving his internal conflicts. Instead, he
reminiscences over lost youth and dwells on his inadequacies, which cause him to lose faith in
himself in the same way he is losing faith in society as a whole. His mentions of sirens may be a
hint at the old adage of feeling lost at sea, as well as a reminder of his hopelessness with women.

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and Other Works by T.S. Eliot (Halcyon Classics)
 Buy Now
 

What is J. Alfred Prufrock Looking For?

As the poem progresses, it becomes apparent that Prufrock is an affluent man who is not only
tired of social pressures but with his own incompetence in withstanding these external forces. As
mentioned earlier, he seems to be longing for the attention of a single person, presumably, a
woman, asking "Is it perfume from a dress - That makes me so digress?" (Eliot 738). This
unknown lady's attention distracts Prufrock throughout The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. In the
first few lines, he seems to ask for "an evening spread out against the sky - Like a patient
etherized upon a table"; with his interest. This line gives a sense of Prufrock's numbness with the
societal standards heaved upon him and may be a hint towards a want of a physical relationship,
even if he feels it may not yield fruitful.

He continues, talking frequently about her arms, braceleted and bare, even noting he has noticed
the light brown hair in the lamplight (Eliot 735). It seems that Prufrock is infatuated with every
aspect of her and wishes that she would make the first move to begin a more committed,
romantic relationship. He makes a note of her outside of the writhing masses that judge him,
hoping she would notice he has misspoken and forgive him regardless, as seen in lines 97 - 110.
His clumsy social standings render him unable to advance in his passion, and Prufrock compares
himself to a bug mounted on a pin for observation, obviously uncomfortable with what he feels is
the constant examination of his peers.

It is never explicitly stated, but one can infer that he plans on asking this woman for her hand in
marriage, but loses faith at the last minute. The frequent pressing of "And should I then presume"
reflects his own self-doubt. He dreams about this mysterious woman in the way a teenager might,
going over in his own mind how and when he should ask her. Even in the opening lines, he is
thinking of asking her this pressing question, losing faith with "Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' - Let us
go and make our visit."

Imagery and Other Literary Devices

Another potent literary device is the rich imagery that is displayed in the text. A recurring subject
throughout the poem is the yellow smoke or in some cases, yellow fog mentioned first in line 15
(Eliot 734). It conjures the image of smog trailing London streets and is a potent symbol of the
fogginess Prufrock may have seen in others, as they carelessly rolled onto the next day without
seeing what he viewed as their fatal flaws. This smoke even stops to sleep, seeing that it was a
soft October night, and again reminds the reader of the dreary, dismal mood in this section of the
poem (734). The smoke as a player in and of itself, animalistic but not malevolent, is an
interesting characteristic. It may represent societal values, lingering in Prufrock's mind despite his
desperate attempts at escape. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock remains in the bleak mood until
Prufrock seems to begin to question the meanings of his own existence. The varied sentence
length, beginning at line 37, allows the poem to take a turn. It seems suddenly alive and excited,
prompting the reader to answer the rhetorical questions that Prufrock asks himself. He realizes
that most of his actions are calculated, and the aforementioned social rituals are empty and only
biding time. This enlivened atmosphere also plays on how he perceives others around him - as
mere voices hiding behind the music, while he is exact, having measured out my life with coffee
spoons; (735).

The rich imagery of T. S. Eliot's brings his work to life.  | Source

Summary of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Very few works of English literature so masterfully portray the discontentment of an era as The
Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Eliot successfully combined the unnerving social tension that the
twentieth century had to offer with a relatable love story that could be brushed off. Riddled with
Biblical references and steeped in rich imagery, its a poem for readers who don't like poetry. It is
elegant and precise, like the best of poetry, but thoughtful and invigorating, reminiscent of a short
story. It hits somewhere inside the reader, taking hold of every insecurity, every unanswered
"what if", to remind us to seize what is in front of us, and make an example of poor Prufrock and
his unrequited love.
Sources
Damrosch, David, Editor. T. S. Eliot, (1888-1965). Gateways to World Literature: Volume 2: The
Seventeenth Century to Today, edited by David Damrosch. Pearson Education, Inc., 2012. pp.
733.

Eliot, T. S. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Gateways to World Literature: Volume 2: The
Seventeenth Century to Today. Pearson Education, Inc., 2012. pp. 734-737.
©