Critical Appreciation of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Answer

Write a Critical Appreciation of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”.

Or, 

In What Way is The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock a Pioneer Example of Modern Poetry?

Or,

How Does The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Mark a Complete Break from the 19th Century Tradition of Poetry?

“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (1915) is a landmark modernist poem by T.S. Eliot (1888-1965). This poem has become a celebrated modernist because of its complex structure and profound themes. We can examine its form, themes, and influence on contemporary poetry through its critical appreciation. Let us do the job.

Complex Structure: One of the unique characteristics of the poem is its complex structure. The writer has given it a monologue form where the protagonist, Prufrock, is the only speaker. This monologue form helps us explore Prufrock’s inner feelings and thoughts. By composing it in a first-person point of view, the author has provided the readers with an intimate look into the speaker’s mind. The fragmented structure and stream-of-consciousness technique display the disconnected nature of Prufrock’s thoughts. 

Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary instrument that uses symbols, objects, or ideas to show deeper meanings, concepts, or emotions. Eliot utilizes rich symbolism to describe the social alienation and existential anxiety that existed in the early 20th Century. The usage of “yellow fog” and “yellow smoke” in the poem symbolizes the decay and degradation of the modern world. These images gather a sense of suspicion and breakdown and reflect Prufrock’s fear of societal decline and his emotional nullification.

“The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,

The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes,” 

Urban Separation: This poem is a model of the urban poem, which speaks about the pretensions of modern urban men and women. It mirrors the disconnection and separation of individuals in the rapidly modernizing cities of the early 20th Century. The city streets are portrayed as “half-deserted” and “muttering retreats.” Prufrock’s emotional paralysis and inability to connect with others reflect