The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
a. how does prufrock describe himself and his life in lines 49-74? b. what does prufrock's description of his life suggest about his personal self-assessment?
the love song of j. alred prufrock
the love song of j. alred prufrock
Prufrock describes himself as predictable and not a risk taker,
For I have known them all already, known them all—
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
He finds himself boring and physically unattractive. Prufrock twice refers to his balding head, describes his plain, middle-aged clothing, and draws us into his point-of-view of the social world. Prufrock agonizes over his social actions, worrying over how others will see him. He thinks about women's arms and perfume, but does not know how to act. He walks through the streets and watches lonely men leaning out their windows. The day passes at a social engagement but he cannot muster the strength to act, and he admits that he is afraid.