The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Questions

“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” Lines for Close Analysis & Questions 1) Lines 1-13 1) Who is the speaker of the poem and to whom is the poem addressed? The speaker of the poem is J. Alfred Prufrock. The form is monologue, thus the narrator is speaking to another person 2) Lines 1-15 2) Where is the speaker? Describe the time of day, place, etc. What parts of the poem support your answer? The speaker is walking on a street at night. The sentence “when the evening is spread out against the sky; let us go, through certain half-deserted streets” describes the situation 3) Lines 1-15 3) Identify two SIMILES in the opening stanza. What do these similes suggest about what is being compared to something else? When the speaker is walking on the street and staring at the darkening sky, he compared his current situation an etherized patient. He becomes paralysed and starts thinking that love is uncontrollable and unconscious to him. Prufrock watching the half-deserted street, the image literally associates with his emotion. He compared his path towards destination and the wasteland street which embodies his loneliness and isolation. 4) Lines 14-15 4) What room is the speaker describing? The room filled with women who walk around talking about Michelangelo 5) Lines 15-23 5) Identify the primary METAPHOR in this stanza. In other words, to what does the poet indirectly liken the yellow fog? Note specific elements/words from the poem to support your answer. The primary metaphor is equating the "yellow fog" with a cat "that rubs its muzzle.../Licked its tongue"..."Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap / [and] Curled once about the house, and fell asleep" (15-22). 6) Lines 23-33 6) What is the primary argument of this stanza? Sum up the argument in one sentence. The primary argument is that there is always time for all the things one wants or wishes for in life. 7) Lines 32-33 7) What does the speaker mean in lines 32-33? What does this argument have to do with what is “happening” in the poem? He is thinking about his relationship with a woman and is incapable of making a commitment, hence the "in decisions" and "revisions." 8) Lines 37-48 8) What is the speaker’s emotional state at this point in the poem? What are his primary concerns? Prufrock is plagued with anxiety; he believes any action on his part with reverberate throughout the universe. His primary concern is with how people with perceive his appearance, that he is growing old with a 'bald spot." 9) Lines 46-49 9) Why do you think the speaker is stalling when it comes to socializing? Is this a speaker with whom you’d like to sit down and chat? Why or why not? Prufrock is stalling and deluding himself that there is time, because he does not want to act. He would be a frustrating person with whom to speak, as his opinions would have little value, as they change so often. 10) Line 51 10) What does the speaker mean in line 51? To measure out one's life with coffee spoons indicates that his life is shallow and small, devoid of deep, satisfying experiences. 11) Lines 49-69 11) Identify the poem’s use of REPETITION? What effect does repetition have on the poem’s meaning? Some of the repeated phrases and words include: "time", the idea of which is an obsession with Prufrock, "I have", which serves to emphasize and even anchor his thoughts- one of the only times where he demonstrates stability, "how should I presume", which shows his insecurity and isolation from others and "do I dare", which works to both define how he perceives his actions in relation to both individuals and the world in general. The repetitions help to define the various facets of Prufock's character. 12) Lines 49-69 12) What is the speaker’s TONE at this point in the poem? Prufrock's tone is one of pessimism and inadequacy. He takes an empirical, scientific approach to both others, whom he views as having "arms that are bracelet ed and white and bare" and himself, who he sees as "formulated, sprawling on a pin." He dehumanizes and distorts his relationships, seeing them in the context of "butt-end[ ] days. 13) Lines 62-66 13) Whom is the speaker describing? Prufrock is describing the woman he wishes to propose to. 14) Line 66 14) Re-read line 66. What stands out about the act of digressing? The technique of stream of consciousness is used throughout the poem, ironically here Prufock acknowledges the act when he refers to the perfume, but in reality, he has done nothing but digress. 15) Lines 75-86 15) Do you think the speaker himself is digressing? Identify parts of the poem to support your answer. Prufrock jumps from one topic to another without logical transitions. For example, he thinks about the woman to whom he will propose and how he will accomplish this; at the same time he anticipates rejection, an alternative proposal and rejection and then contemplates his useless within the world. 16) Lines 75-86 16) What is the primary argument of this stanza? Prufrock reflects that he is ineffective at life, that life has passed him by, despite his having "fasted, wept and prayed." He fears death, as noted with his "head [grown slightly bald] and his having "seen the eternal Footman...snicker." 17) Line 85 17) Who/What is “the eternal Footman”? Death 18) How does this setting relate to the setting of the poem’s opening stanzas? Prufrock refers to Lazarus, who was raised from the dead, whilst the epigraph takes place in the 8th circle of Hell. Prufrock sees himself like a "patient etherised", somnolent, a walking dead. 18) Lines 86-98 19) Lines 90-98 19) Describe the speaker’s relationship to speaking itself? Is he effective at expressing himself and/or telling a story? Why or why not? Prufrock is almost inarticulate and states, "It is impossible to say just what I mean." This is further supported in the manner he disassociates his actions, imagining a scenario where he is rejected and his intended's response is projected by a "magic lantern." 20) Line 104 20) What is your analysis of line 104? "So much more" resonates with emptiness and longing. 21) Lines 111-119 22) Line 117 23) Lines 120-125 21) What is the primary argument of this stanza? Prufrock recognizes that he is not a leader, but a supporting player in life. 22) Define “obtuse.” Obtuse means to be thick headed, not "getting it."- connects to the fog 23) Has the speaker finally admitted his primary concern? What effect does “growing old” have on the speaker’s socialising? Prufrock's concern with growing old reflects his fear of death. He is under the delusion that he can hold back time, if he "wear[s] the bottom of [his] trousers rolled" or parts his "hair behind." In his mind, these actions will allow him to keep socializing. 24) Line 125 25) Lines 129-131 24) Re-read line 125. Why does the speaker think this? That the mermaids will not sing to Prufrock speaks to his loneliness and recognition that he is not a participant in life, but mere an observer on the sideline. 25) What is the speaker’s final tone The final lines evoke a deep sadness, for Prufrock believes that connecting with people, awakening to a life force, means death. This is an irreconcilable paradox that is the foundation of his existential angst.