The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
by T. S. Eliot
Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky, like a patient etherized upon a table; Let us go through certain half deserted streets, The muttering retreats of restless nights in one night cheap hotels and sawdust restaurants with oyster shells; Streets that follow like a tedious argument of insidious intent to lead you to an overwhelming question… Oh, do not ask, What is it? Let us go and make our visit. In the room, the women come and go talking of Michelangelo. … I have measured out my life with coffee spoons. … I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat and snicker. …
Summary of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a lyric poem by T. S. Eliot first published in 1915. It examines the inner life of Prufrock, a man who is paralyzed by indecision, social anxiety and a profound sense of alienation. The poem is not a straightforward love song; instead it explores modern consciousness, the passage of time and the difficulty of making meaning in a world that can feel impersonal.
It an Anti love Poem
In a sense the poem is an anti love poem. It uses the notion of a love song to highlight how romance can be unsatisfying for a man who feels isolated and uncertain about his place in society.
Literary Analysis
• Personification: The poem gives human qualities to abstract elements, such as time and expectation. This creates a powerful and vivid mood.
• Metaphor: Eliot compares Prufrock’s life to coffee spoons and uses imagery of a patient etherized upon a table to illustrate a sense of paralysis.
• Irony: The title itself is ironic because the poem is not about love or romance, but about a man who feels alone and fearful.
• Epigraph: The poem begins with an epigraph from Dante’s Inferno, setting a classical tone for the work.
• Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds, such as the repeated “m” in muttering muttering retreats, give the poem a musical quality.
Form and Structure
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is written in free verse. The poem largely abandons traditional rhyme schemes and meter, opting for a free verse structure that mirrors the fragmented and chaotic nature of modern consciousness.
Repetition: The poem repeats key images such as coffee spoons and the Footman, reinforcing themes of time, routine and social isolation.
Refrain: The refrain appears when Prufrock repeatedly reminds himself of his inadequacies and questions whether he will ever be heard.
Imagery: The poem uses vivid and evocative images of city life, evening light and the sound of distant traffic to create a powerful atmosphere.
Lines for Quote and Discussion
These lines are often cited in discussions about indecision, anxiety or the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
Oh, do not ask, What is it? Let us go and make our visit.
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat and snicker.
Closing Thoughts
Today the poem remains relevant because it speaks to the desire to be seen and heard in a society that can feel impersonal. Prufrock’s voice resonates with anyone who has ever felt stuck in routine or feared confronting the world. By using lyrical techniques such as repetition, metaphor and free verse, the poem offers a modern reflection on personal identity and society.