Prufrock

Prufrock T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," is the interior monlogue of a truly tragic character. It is interesting that Eliot presents the downfall of a man in such a light and humerous manner. The beginning of the poem is very light-hearted as we see an old man trying desperately to escape the effects of aging. This playful tone is evident through Eliot’s use of lyrical rhyme and comic imagery. As the poem progresses there is a shift in tone that reveals a much darker nature. The lyrical rhyme is interrupted and the sorrowful imagery creates a somber tone. It is the contrast of these two natures that reveal the tragedy of Prufrock. Prufrock is not confident with himself mentally or his appearance. He is terrified of what will occur when people see his balding head or his slim and aging body. He believes everyone will think he is old and useless. They will talk about him behind his back. [They will say: ‘How is hair is growing thin!’] My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin, My necktie rich and modest, prufrock, reader, man, poem, rhyme, life, himself, old, love, world, tragic, tone, time, say, imagery, eliot, alfred, within, way, song, something, should, prufrock’s, prince, playful, lyrical, however, hamlet, even, character, cannot, begins, aging, younger, young