Journal #17

1. What is the significance of the poem’s epigraph? How does it relate to Prufrock?

The poem’s epigraph is significant because it shows that both Count Guido da Montefeltro, who gives the quotation, and Prufrock are in hell. Prufrock is not in the spiritual hell , but he is in a mediforically hell on earth. Prufrock is stuck in a world where, as he describes it, he does not fit in. He cannot confided in any other people because he feels isolated.

2. Make a list of questions that Prufrock asks. Do you see a pattern/theme to these questions or are they random?

In the poem, Prufrock asks many questions as listed here:
“To lead you to an overwhelming question…Oh, do not ask, ‘What is it?’” (10-11).
“To wonder, ‘So I dare?’ and, ‘Do I dare?’” (38).
“Do I dare disturb the universe?” (45-46).
“So how should I presume?” (54).
“Then how should I begin to spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?” (59-60).
“Is it perfume from a dress that makes me so digress?” (65-66).
“And should I then presume?” (68)
“And how should I begin?” (69)
“And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows?...” (71-72).
“Should I, after tea and cakes and ices, have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?” (79-80).
“Would it have been worth while,…after the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trial along the floor – and this, and so much more?” (101-103).
“Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?” (122).

The questions follow a similar pattern. All the questions are structured as an inner argument, where he is debating on who he should proceed with each action in his life. Prifrock is a fearful man who is insecure and questions all of his actions so that he does not make a mistake. However, Prufrock does realize that he has let time slip away from him, and because of this he as missed loads of opportunites.

3. What do you think is Prufrock’s main flaw/problem?

His main flaw is his lack of confidence. Prufrock spends all of his time examining all action and consequences to that he does not do something that is foolish or embarrassing. Because of this he misses so many opportunites and events in his life. If he would just make a confident choice he could experience so many more things that worold has to offer, to those who sieze the day. His lack of confidence also isolates him from others because he is afraid to make a mistake arounf them.

4. Why do you think this is called a love song? In what way is it a love song?

The poem is called a love song because of the irony of it. Prufrock is so unconfident in himself that he could never talk to a woman about love. He can admire women from a distance and he can write and talk about love all he wants but in reality he would never do this in person.