the poem. The attention of the reader is drawn from the beginning by Eliot’s utilization of an epigraph, which is a short saying or quote placed at the beginning of a writing to imply a theme. Eliot’s method of an epigraph helps create an effective way for the readers to identify and notice Prufrock’s uncertainty and lack of confidence in the poem. In lines 61-66, illustrated below, one can see the epigraph that Eliot uses, which is derived from Dante’s Inferno: S'io credesse che mia risposta fosse
using metaphors (allusions to other texts), diction and imagery. He uses these to try to convey his message about what he thinks of modern society. Eliot has a vast knowledge of other literary works. For example Eliot uses Dante's Inferno as his epigraph. He uses this in a metaphoric way in which he implies that if he could convey his message about society after being part of it, he would. However, because he does not have enough courage to do so, he can not convey his message openly and with authority:
The Existential Anguish of J. Alfred Prufrock Upon reading Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," the first question which sprang to my mind was the question of how Eliot, a poet who was in his mid-twenties at the time, was able to write a poem dealing with the problems of aging in such a penetrating manner. Upon closer examination, however, I realized that Prufrock's aging was only incidental to his central problem. Prufrock's major problem is a problem of existential anguish. Prufrock's
understanding the concept of fragmentation, it is crucial to appreciate that the poem's structure was heavily influenced by Eliot's extensive reading, primarily, Dante, but also referring to various literary works by the French Symbolists arts movement. The epigraph at the very beginning of the poem is taken from Dante’s Inferno (XXVII, 61-66) and translates to: "If I but thought that my response were made to one perhaps returning to the world, this tongue of ... ... middle of paper ... ...o another feature
Analysis of Abbey Tomb, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, and To Autumn ‘By using the first or second person – a poet creates a sense of direct dialogue with the reader.’ What is your response to this view? By the use of the first or second person a poet can establish a connection between the character and the reader because the poet can address the reader directly. The poems I have chosen to study are ‘Abbey Tomb’ by Patricia Beer, ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T.S. Elliot
the poem? Are those expectations fulfilled by the text? The title of this poem makes us think that this is going to be a love story with him and a significant other. But these expectations are not fulfilled by the text starting in the introductory epigraph. The title is completely ironic because this is not a “love song”, yet this story is about a depressed, lonely and weak man. The title makes us think that this poem is going to be a serious love song about J. Alfred Prufrock, but instead it is more
T.S. Eliot 's The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock, published in 1915, is a prime sample of Modernist literature: the reader must tease out and untangle its central themes in order to fathom what exactly it is about. But we 'll still never be totally sure - this is what makes Eliot 's writing style so unique and so highly regarded. The Modernist writers, with their predilection for the abstract, thrived on leaving their audiences in a state of confusion, as a means of mirroring the distress caused
"love song". Although the poem addresses the reader directly, saying, "Let us go then, you and I,"1 Prufrock is really just talking to himself. His is a tale of shame and insecurity that he would never dare share with another human being. The epigraph graphically illustrates this; being a passage from Dante's "Inferno".... "If I thought my reply would be to someone who would ever return to earth, this flame would remain without further movement; but as no one has ever returned from this gulf
Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Elliot, Prufrock is a man that is pessimistic, has low self-esteem, and has much internal conflict. He believes that he isn't good enough for the women of his desire; this theme also becomes a motif. The epigraph of the poem is an excerpt from Dante's Inferno, in which that the perfect audience could only be someone who would never be allowed into the real world where that person(s) might reveal Prufrock's idiosyncrasies. This of course is impossible so therefore
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” In modernism, fragmentation, open form, and themes of hopelessness take priority over the fixed form and meter of the previous era. It is about bold strokes and individuals whose writing style encompassed the changing world. T. S. Eliot is no exception. With his 1915 poem, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, he uses new modernist ideals as an expression of the pessimistic feelings of society and a shift away from traditional writings. With a variety of literary
listener is lost just like the speaker is and will never betray to the world the content of Prufrock’s present confessions. The poem might be about bad people pretending to be good. The setting of the poem is like Hell which is why Eliot chose that epigraph. Also, Prufrock tells stories because he believes there isn’t a chance to repeat the stories to other people. Prufrock is on earth but it is being considered as Hell. There many themes for this particular poem, a few would be love, passivity, and
The word “journey” describes a profusion of events. These events can occur physically; physical journey or emotionally and intellectually; inner journey. It is important to define the Journey achieved, while analysing any specific text. The set text in this essay “The Love song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by TS Elliot and “Of Eurydice” by Ivan Lalic can be used to create a comparison in order demonstrate the uniqueness and significance of each journey. “Sky High” written by Hannah Robert and contemporary
Inferiority Exposed in Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and Sweeney Among the Nightingales "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" tells the story of a single character, a timid, middle-aged man. Prufrock is talking or thinking to himself. The epigraph, a dramatic speech taken from Dante's "Inferno," provides a key to Prufrock's nature. Like Dante's character Prufrock is in "hell," in this case a hell of his own feelings. He is both the "you and I" of line one, pacing the city's grimy
I have chosen to write about T. S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” since the poem has surprised me in various ways. To begin, I was surprised at the fact that this so called “love song” was not a love song or poem at all. Actually, it was, but it was not a love that had two individuals admiring each other mutually. The poem addressed the issues of a man who tried to pursue a woman but could not because of the insecurities he dealt with. However, the poem caused me a bit of trouble in
During the semester of my American Literature class, many authors were studied along with many of their famous works. Authors such as Walt Whitman, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Booker T. Washington, and T. S. Eliot, were introduced briefly in this American Literature class. The one author that stood out to me the most was T. S. Eliot. His poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” was quite unique and distinct from mainstream love poems. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” draws readers to experience
The epigraphs presented by Krakauer before each chapter of the memoir Into the Wild dive deep into the life of Chris McCandless before and after his journey into the Alaskan wilderness. They compare him to famous “coming of age characters” and specific ideas written by some of his favorite philosophers. These give the reader a stronger sense of who Chris was and why he made the decision to ultimately walk alone into the wild. Chapter seven of Into the Wild titled “Carthage”, begins with two epigraphs
Count of 1397 Journal One: Analyzing the Epigraph “This island of Pianosa lies in the Mediterranean Sea eight miles south of Elba. It is very small and obviously could not accommodate all of the actions described. Like the setting of this novel, the characters, too, are fictitious” (Heller 1) The epigraph to Catch 22 provides a great amount of information on what to expect from the novel ahead of them, despite the small number of words that comprise the epigraph. Specifically, it tells the reader how
pick a male narrator from somewhere in that pyramid..." Today I will explore the significance of the three epigraphs within the "Handmaid's Tale" prior to chapter 1. I will firstly describe the background of the epigraphs and their relationships to the themes of the story. Then I will discuss the implications of each epigraph on the reader and finally I will suggest that through the epigraphs and other techniques including foreshadowing and biblical allusions, Atwood aims to introduce the reader to
An epigraph is brief quote or saying that is placed at the beginning of a novel to hint at its central theme. Additionally, epigraphs may be used to indicate authorial intention or act as a warning about what is to come. This technique can be incredibly potent as it often sets the tone for an entire book. Many of the greatest literary works of the twentieth century, such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, employ epigraphs that not only hint at the plotline
been more factual, it didn’t mean they were more real. What is true and what is simply fabrication become interchangeable, bringing to life the chaotic experiences the author felt as a soldier in the Vietnam War. This quote would be an appropriate epigraph because the author has taken cares to highlight that the exact events and facts of the war aren’t as important as the people who took part in it and trying to understand their experiences and