Prufrock's Melancholoy
Introduction to Poetry
20 September 2012
Prufrock’s Melancholy “For I have known them all already, known them all:” (Eliot 49). To me this line defines the mood for the entire poem, it is such a simple statement, yet at the same time a deeply powerful and complex one. What is there left to do, what great adventures left to take, or great deeds left to be done. As Prufrock becomes and old man “I grow old…I grow old” (Eliot 119) he is searching for anything left in his life, some meaning, some purpose, something to inspire him. And honestly who has not been lost, searching for the meaning of the next day a purpose to get out of bed or go to work. Throughout The love song Prufrock speaks of things he has done and seen but nothing of what he will do. It is as if he no longer desires to explore the world around him, as he has seen it all; he has lived his life, loved his women, made and spent his fortune and seen the world. Prufrock reminds me of a man depressed, lost and searching. It feels as if at one time he was on top of the world, young, wealthy, loved and with a sense of direction. As he ages his confidence wanes he becomes self-conscious “they will say: “How his hair is growing thin!” (Eliot 44) a confident would not concern himself with what they would say. As we age things obviously change and Prufrock seems to have little to fall back on that many aging men do. He seems to have no family, and no further drive or ambition. Do not get me wrong here though Prufrock is not complaining, especially because the entire poem takes place in his mind. He simply seems to be taking stock of his life, his experiences he is introspective but in a way it seems he is speaking to others, giving advice. The line from Dante’s’ Inferno in the epigraph “but since from this depth none ever returned alive” (Myers 495) seem to refer to the fact that he may be speaking with someone else, sharing his experiences of live because he knows they are in the same Hell
20 September 2012
Prufrock’s Melancholy “For I have known them all already, known them all:” (Eliot 49). To me this line defines the mood for the entire poem, it is such a simple statement, yet at the same time a deeply powerful and complex one. What is there left to do, what great adventures left to take, or great deeds left to be done. As Prufrock becomes and old man “I grow old…I grow old” (Eliot 119) he is searching for anything left in his life, some meaning, some purpose, something to inspire him. And honestly who has not been lost, searching for the meaning of the next day a purpose to get out of bed or go to work. Throughout The love song Prufrock speaks of things he has done and seen but nothing of what he will do. It is as if he no longer desires to explore the world around him, as he has seen it all; he has lived his life, loved his women, made and spent his fortune and seen the world. Prufrock reminds me of a man depressed, lost and searching. It feels as if at one time he was on top of the world, young, wealthy, loved and with a sense of direction. As he ages his confidence wanes he becomes self-conscious “they will say: “How his hair is growing thin!” (Eliot 44) a confident would not concern himself with what they would say. As we age things obviously change and Prufrock seems to have little to fall back on that many aging men do. He seems to have no family, and no further drive or ambition. Do not get me wrong here though Prufrock is not complaining, especially because the entire poem takes place in his mind. He simply seems to be taking stock of his life, his experiences he is introspective but in a way it seems he is speaking to others, giving advice. The line from Dante’s’ Inferno in the epigraph “but since from this depth none ever returned alive” (Myers 495) seem to refer to the fact that he may be speaking with someone else, sharing his experiences of live because he knows they are in the same Hell
References: Eliot, T.S. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Poetry: an introduction. 6th Ed. Michael, Meyer. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010. 494-498. Print. Sward, Robert "A personal Analysis of 'The Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. '" Poetry: An Introduction. 6th ed. Michael Meyer. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin 's: 2010. 505-509. Print.