The Lovesong Of J Alfred Prufrock Analysis Essay

T.S Eliot’s use of adjectives in the opening stanza of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” gives an impression of Prufock’s loneliness, desire for love, and nervousness that develops throughout the poem. In the opening stanza, Prufrock describes the city on his way to a social-lites’ party. In his mind, Prufrock imagines himself being in the slums of town and gives a pessimistic description based on how he felt. Prufrock has an interior monologue and refers to himself in the line, “Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,” (4). The adjective “half-deserted” describes how in his mind, he is isolated from everyone and feels alone. Prufrock also hears “The muttering retreats,” (5) believing the people are whispering and trying to him.
In the line, “Streets that follow like a tedious argument / Of insidious intent,”(8-9), the adjective “tedious” means dull while insidious means subtle or gradually. Prufrock is calling attention to his boring life and how he wants a change. In the sixth line, Prufrock refers to “Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotel,”(6) indicating a one-night stand. He also thought of “Sawdust restaurants with oysters-shells,” which is a metaphor for his sexual urges. Since oysters are aphrodisiac, meaning they stimulate sexual desires, the adjective is used to describe the shell. The shell is suppose to represent him physically while the oyster represents his inner feelings and desires. Throughout the