Irony in the title The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Answer

Bring out the ironical implications of the title “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.”  [NU: 2019]

Or, Evaluate the significance of the title “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.”

Or, What are the elements of irony in “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock?” [NU: 2022]

T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) published “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” in 1915. The title itself is ironic and unusual. It promises a romantic love song but presents hesitation, fear, and loneliness. The title reflects the poem’s irony and modernist mood. Let us study the ironical implications of the title.

Ironical Love Song: The word “love song” suggests passion and joy. But Prufrock is weak, anxious, and full of doubt. His “song” is not of love but of failure. He cannot express love, so the title is deeply ironic.

Character and Name: The name “J. Alfred Prufrock” is stiff and formal. It does not fit with a passionate love song. The middle-class tone of the name creates irony. It shows the mismatch between his feelings and his timid personality.

Irony in Action: Prufrock dreams of great acts but remains silent. He says, 

“Do I dare disturb the universe?” 

However, he does nothing. He measures life “with coffee spoons,” a symbol of routine. This gap between thought and action builds irony.

Imagery of Failure: Images of baldness, thin arms, and rolled trousers highlight old age. Instead of youthful romance, the poem presents frustration and fear. The mermaids sing, but he says,

“I do not think that they will sing to me.” 

The title love song ends in despair.

In short, the title is ironically significant because it speaks of love yet shows failure and hesitation. Prufrock’s “song” is a modern cry of loneliness. Eliot uses irony to expose the emptiness of modern life and its broken dreams.