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

Answer

What irony do you find in the title of the poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’, and how does it run throughout the poem?

Irony is a literary device or situation that contrasts expectations and reality, often resulting in humour or a deeper meaning. The title “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (1915) by T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) is indeed full of irony. At first glance, one might expect it to be a romantic love poem, but it portrays the inner conflict of modern people through its leading character, Alfred Prufrock.

Irony in the Title: The title implies that it is a “love song,” usually expressing passionate or heartfelt love. However, Prufrock’s monologue is far from a traditional love song. Instead of expressing his feelings openly and directly, Prufrock is hesitant, indecisive, and full of self-doubt. He does not talk to the person he loves but contemplates endlessly about the possible outcomes. He is too anxious about the potential consequences to take action. This is evident in the following line:

“I don’t think that they will sing to me.”

Representation of an Ironic Protagonist: The protagonist himself bears the most ironic implications. He should have been bold and forceful as an ordinary lover, but he is cowardly and hesitant. His constant questioning, “Do I dare?” and “Do I dare?” demonstrates his indecision and hesitation, which is unusual in a love song. These lines show his lack of self-assurance and fear of rejection, contrasting with the confidence we expect from a love song.

Irony in the Declaration of Love: Love songs typically involve direct contact between lovers. On the other hand, Prufrock broadly speaks to himself in the poem. The poem is a dramatic monologue, which means that instead of a conversation or a direct declaration of his feelings to his loved one, Prufrock becomes absorbed by his thoughts, worries, and anxieties.

The Ironic Urban Life: The nature of urban life should be characterized by distinctive qualities, challenges, and opportunities. But in the modern period, urban life has become