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Jpr_89 Posted 18 years ago

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Somebody help me! I am a Mexican student in distress. I have to write a paper on "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot; however, I don't seem to be able to fully understand Mr Eliot's works. My teacher says this poem is rather worldly and mundane. He says the lyrical speaker is addressing a prostitute and lamenting over what he deems to be a pathetic existence. He even said that the verse "I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker" refers to his inability to have sexual intercourse. I'm not overly satisfied with this interpretation. I think this poem tries to give deeper and more philosophical insight on life. It would be really helpful if I could get some of your views on this poem.

Thanks
  

Top answer

It's not an easy poem to interpret but I think your teacher seems to be oversimplifying it rather! There are many different interpretations but sometimes, if you want good marks, you have to go along with your teacher's opinion of something... Anyway, there is some info on Wikipedia on this poem if you search there, which puts forward several different viewpoints and analyses.

— Nona the brit

  • It's not an easy poem to interpret but I think your teacher seems to be oversimplifying it rather!
  • There are many different interpretations but sometimes, if you want good marks, you have to go along with your teacher's opinion of something...
  • Anyway, there is some info on Wikipedia on this poem if you search there, which puts forward several different viewpoints and analyses.
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1 Answers
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It's not an easy poem to interpret but I think your teacher seems to be oversimplifying it rather! There are many different interpretations but sometimes, if you want good marks, you have to go along with your teacher's opinion of something...

Anyway, there is some info on Wikipedia on this poem if you search there, which puts forward several different viewpoints and analyses.
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