The Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock

“Just Do It.” In 1988, these three words became the slogan of the Nike Footwear Incorporation. Since then, the slogan has been described as one of the best taglines of the 20th century. Its success can be attributed to the fact that it attempts to push people out of their comfort zones and by doing so, aims to evoke a positive result. In other words, it discourages indecision, an affliction under which many fall victim. In the poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot, the main character, Prufrock, greatly struggles with indecisiveness. He over thinks every decision he is faced with and never “just does anything.” Ultimately, this quality of Prufrock’s keeps him from asking a question he sincerely wants to ask and, in doing

When one dwells on the risks of an action rather than making a decision to attempt the action, he later develops feelings of self-resentment. In Eliot’s poem, Prufrock’s fear of being misunderstood keeps him from asking a simple question and later leads to his own self-resentment:

Would it have been worth while

If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,

And turning toward the window, should say:

“That is not it at all,

That is not what I meant, at all” (106-110).

Here, Prufrock is procrastinating asking the question by dwelling on the possibility of being misunderstood. However, because being misunderstood does not have any major nor lasting consequences, Prufrock has little to lose by asking what he so badly wants to ask. As it is, Prufrock begins to question himself further because he is not brave enough to ask one simple inquiry. He goes so far as to question

Eliot does an exemplary job of portraying that feelings of resentment often result from indecision. Whether the ensuing resentment be within oneself or directed at others, poor old J. Alfred Prufrock struggles with both forms of bitterness because of his own inability to make a decision and stick with it. Thus, in order to escape a life of bitter indignation, it is vital that one be decisive and sure when offered an opportunity. When life gives you a chance, take it and run. Don’t get caught up in an endless cycle of indecision and resentment, lest you want to end up like poor old J. Alfred