T.S. Eliot and a Coward

T.S. Elliot and a Coward

Einstein once said, "Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character." T.S. Elliot's main character in "The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock" epitomizes this statement; by failing to take action, J. Alfred Prufrock is forced to live a life of futile wants and utter loneliness.

A talented writer, T.S. Elliot has established himself among the top poets of the twentieth century. Leaving his birthplace of St. Louis, Missouri, Elliot acquired an education from several impressive establishments such as Harvard, Oxford, and the Sorbonne. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" was Elliot's first major published work, followed by several other pieces, including "The Wasteland", "Ash-Wednesday", and "The Cocktail Party". In 1948, Elliot received the Nobel Prize in literature, a notable accomplishment for any writer. Elliot also contributed to the literary world by founding a literary journal, Criterion. Never abandoning his love of literature, Elliot acted as a director for a publishing company in London until he died.

Engulfed in a listless life, Prufrock is an incredibly ordinary man. "I am no great prophet--and here's no great matter" states Prufrock solemnly (1190). Beginning in "half -deserted streets" in "one- night cheap hotels" Prufrock offers the reader to follow him on an imaginary journey filled with female suitors who speak of Michelangelo (suggesting these women are of upper class society) (1189) . Alienated by the differences of social class, Prufrock finds himself unable to declare his love for a particular woman. He declares his ordinariness and compares himself to Hamlet, "No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was I meant to be" signifying that Prufrock is unwilling to act courageously (1191). In the end, Prufrock deserts all ambitions and accepts his death as an average ordinary man.

Written in 1917, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" is a satire of the average man at the time. The main character is a man without a backbone, left only to dream of making a life that he desires. Realizing he has not the strength of character to make a difference in his own life, Prufrock willingly accepts the bleakness of death, without making an effort to strive for greatness. Prufrock serves as the anti-hero, representing failed dreams and disillusioned