T.S. Eliot, in his poem entitled “The Love Song of J. Alfred
Prufrock,” uses a dramatic monologue to examine the tortured psyche of the
prototypical man. I believe it is a dramatic monologue for multiple reasons
displayed throughout the poem. First of all, the speaker of the play was not
the author, or T.S. Eliot, as seen in the title, and this character is
experiencing a certain moment in time, revealed through the entirety of the
poem. Furthermore, the poem is directed towards a woman who is not mentioned
but implied. This is indicated in the first stanza when Prufrock addresses the
subject and says, “Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets…to lead you
to an overwhelming question…Let us go and make our visit” (1302). Not only does this passage reveal the subject
without directly mentioning her, it also shows how the poem takes place at a
certain time, another key indication of dramatic monologues. The last clue that
leads me to believe this is a dramatic monologue is the focus on Prufrock’s
development and revelation. He begins
the poem with a desire to attract a potential lover to whom the poem is
addressed; but as it progresses he does not “dare” to approach the woman. He
worries about what others might say about him if he did, telling himself that
“They will say: ‘How his hair is growing thin…but how his arms and legs are
thin!” (1302). His final revelation comes when he realizes he is only of
second-class status, proclaiming “No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to
be” (1304). This final revelation— along with the previous development of
Prufrock—further support my claim that this poem is a type of dramatic
monologue. This element, combined with a speaker other than the author and an
unmentioned subject, help establish “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” as a
dramatic monologue.
Is there a specific rhyme scheme for this poem? The pattern
seems irregular and confuses me. Also, is there specific significance
concerning the immense use of imagery in this poem? Something unique to Eliot,
maybe?
Great post Taylor, as far as rhyme scheme goes I know the three line stanzas, which I believe is one of the characteristics of a sonnet but my facts may be wrong there.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your post, as far as the imagery used I feel it signifies a bunch of different things, not just one big thing. I enjoyed the imagery because it helped stretch the meaning of what he was saying further in my mind, for instance, "with the bald spot in the middle of my hair" (40) signifies how the author has aged a bit and is transiting the reader into his tale on when he is much older than at the beginning of the poem. Just a thought though!
ReplyDelete