Journal 17

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

Because he is filled with anxiety, and is self conscious, he thinks that no one will ever hear his story and so he is comfortable with it. The epigraph is about a person who is saying that he is a background person who is too self conscious to talk about themselves, but will agree to saying it because he doesn’t think that anyone will ever read/hear of it.

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

Do I dare?
Shall I?

How should I presume?

How should I begin?

All of his questions are about what he should do or his life. He is uncertain about everything he is. The little mundane things about life and himself he questions. There is no decisiveness in even the smallest of things.

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

Prufrock’s main problem was being too self conscious, too filled with anxiety, undecisive, and he’s afraid to take action.

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

Because it is ironic. It is not a love song, it was more about pity for not having a loving life. It is ironic because it is all about him being alone with no one to love. Instead of it being about love and happiness, it is about his quiet desperation and loveless life.