Fragmentation In The Lovesong Of J Alfred Prufrock

The sample essay on Fragmentation In The Lovesong Of J Alfred Prufrock deals with a framework of research-based facts, approaches and arguments concerning this theme. To see the essay’s introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, read on.

TS Eliots poem ‘ The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufock’ is a manifestation of early modernist writing. Written in 1915, TS Eliot helped mould the ideology of modernist writing, through his use of language, creation of new rhythms and techniques, and presentation of images. Modernism itself came about as a result of experimentation and thus become the most influential literary movement of the early twentieth century.

Themes of self reflection and focusing on the characters conscious and subconscious thoughts are prevalent throughout ‘Love Song’, helping shape forms of modernism.

TS Eliot helped establish elements of modernist writing through his allusions to other works of literature, also creating new modern techniques in ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ through grand use of language which served to mock the subject rather then praise it.

‘Prufock’ is a variation on the dramatic monologue thus leading the way in modernism for a new, non-linear form of poetry. Modernist influences can be seen through TS Eliots utilization of language and form.

TS Eliots use of irony is prevalent in the title of the poem itself, as we determine that ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufock’ is not a love poem but rather a depiction of a lonely, isolated figure who feels alienated from the society around him. The opening lines ‘Let us go then, you and I/ When the evening is spread out through the sky’ signal the start of a traditional love poem, and emanate thoughts of romance.

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However, the following line ‘like a patient etherized upon a table’, contrasts with this feeling of romance and rather dampens the images of love.

Who Am I Song Self Reflection Essay

TS Eliot replaces the feeling of romance with an anaesthetized atmosphere devoid of emotion, utilizing the technique of bathos, where the form followed the trajectory of elevation followed by the let down of the comparison to the ‘patient etherized’. This use of bathos reinforces the modernist techniques employed by TS Eliot to portray the despondence of the character. There is no regular rhyme and TS Eliot also breaks through the barrier of using the rigid lyrics structure by utilizing prose which strives to be emotive and strong lyrics, but purposefully falls short.

The detached nature of the poem has an ironic relationship with the traditon of lyric poetry, while alluding to appear to be lyric poetry, it undermines its true nature and content, which is best shown by the lines ‘It is impossible to say what I just mean/ But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:/Would it have been worthwhile/ If one settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl/ And turning towards the window should say:/ That is not it at all/ That is not what I meant at all’.

The reoccurring themes of Prufock’s alienation and isolation are imperative to the poem’s identification as a hallmark of modernist literature. The poem is set as a monologue and while the opening line refers to ‘you and I’, which may seem as a reference to the reader, it can be argued that Prufock is referring to different aspects of his own personality; one that urges him to take action, and the other which is refrained and socially awkward. Throughout the poem Prufock’s insecurites are revealed. The lines ‘ And indeed, will there be time/ To wonder, Do I dare? And Do I Dare? Time to turn back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my hair’ highlight the fear and insecurites felt by Prufock, as his fear overcomes him and he turns back instead of going into the party. The fact that he mentions his ‘bald spot in the middle of my hair’ confirms his insecurities about his appearance and whether it will be the subject of gossip. It is pretty evident that Prufock’s soul is tortured by the irrational insecurities and fears that his mind projects, although it can be said that it stems from his lack of confidence rather then by his own error.

The fact that the poem portrays Prufock’s inner demons rather then a love story again highlights the modernist aspect that TS Eliot incorporated within the poem. Prufock’s inability to act uponmo his desires is prevalent throughout the poem and this paralysis to act is underlined by his lack of confidence and his desire to dwell on problems. This is highlighted by his questioning ‘Would it have been worth it, after all’. Prufock’s agitated state of mind is conveyed through his constant questioning of himself, agonizing each decision, saying ‘Do I dare?

And Do I Dare? / Do I Dare/ Disturb the universe? ‘ Prufock’s fragile nature can be easily juxtaposed with the fluent eloquent prose in lines such as ‘ And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully! / Smoothed by long fingers/ Asleep…. tired…. or it malingers/ Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me’. TS Eliot employs another modernist literature technique through the number of references and allusions to other literary works, such as Hamlet in the line- ‘ No!

I am not Prince Hamlet. Nor was meant to be’ and in the epigraph a direct reference to Dante Aligheiri’s Inferno. The epigraph of Dante’s Inferno is utilized by TS Eliot to display the similarites between Prufock and the main protagonist in Inferno, incidentally another example of modernist techniques in the poem. Prufock’s monologue of a tortured soul burdened by mental inadequacy and lack of self assertiveness can be compared to Guido La Montelfero’s pain and suffering in Inferno.

The epigraph tells us in detail that Guido has been wrapped in a tall flame for his sins, which represents Prufock’s own self inflicted punishment, through his inability to communicate and articulate his feelings. The lost soul described in Inferno strikes a chord with the alienated soul of Prufock, who feels that he is ‘Scuttling across floors of silent seas’. This feeling of Prufock’s debasement to the ‘floors of silent seas’ resonates with Guido’s plight in the depths of hell, which helps the reader realize Prufock is slipping into the abyss of his own personal hell.

Fragmentation is one of several modernist techniques employed by TS Eliot to communicate the sense of detachment felt by Prufock in ‘ The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufock’. Much of the fragmentation in ‘Love Song’ is achieved by imagery such as Prufock’s paranoia that women’s eyes have him ‘pinned and wriggling onto the wall’. The use of fragmentation enables us to have a clearer insight into Prufock’s mind, as his very thoughts are fragmented, as reflected by the lines ‘Time to turn back and descend the stair/ With a bald spot in the middle of my hair-/ They will say-How his hair is growing thin! . The modernist utilization of fragmentation helps clarify that the poem itself is fractured and fragmented, starting with the opening epigraph of Inferno and ranging from the references to Shakespeare and to Prufock’s own insecurities and thoughts. In conclusion, it can be said that TS Eliot’s ‘Love Song of J Alfred Prufock’ is a leading early example of modernist literature. It contains all the hallmarks of the early modernist movement.

At the time of its release, the literary techniques utilized by TS Eliot were considered to be innovative, experimental and breaking new ground. However, this avant-garde movement was greeted by much trepidation at the time, the London Times telling us that ‘they have no relation to poetry’ 1. Critics such as M. L Rosenthal and Ann P. Brady have also commented on the underlying tone of sexuality in lines such as ‘Should I after tea, cakes and ices, / Have the strength to force moment to its crisis’, with Rosenthal suggesting that Prufock evidences a ‘strongly adolescent flavour’2.

Overall, we can glean however that TS Eliot was successful in creating one of the first modernist literary works through his use of bathos, fragmentation, and anti-lyric techniques. The contrast between the poets fragile and troubled state of mind with the eloquence and grace of the prose employed by TS Eliot helps the poem to achieve this success, which allows the diverging poem to flow with ease.