Free Response # 1

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot

This poem was really interesting, yet at the same time makes one thinks about the certain lines throughout the poem. After reading this through and listening to the discussion in class, the question is why the poem is called "The Love Song", the term seems to be used loosely because it doesn't really seem much of a love song. The title that Eliot gave this poem about Prufrock is that, the lines in the poem is generally the thoughts and feelings of Prufrock, which in turn is his own lyrical associations.

Prufrock doesn't really seem to interact with anyone although he talks about tea time and wanting to talk to the women that come and go talking about Michelangelo. He seems to be a reserved guy or in a coma as someone brought up the possibility last class. To me, Prufrock has no hope of being understood by others, he is like in his own personal space or sphere, which is basically his mind or consciousness. Prufrock could just be reserved and shy to talk to the women who he seems attracted or interested in. He must be uncomfortable since he is eager to talk to them, but probably afraid of not knowing what to say and leading to awkward silence.

Overall, this poem by T.S. Eliot is about J. Alfred Prufrock's thoughts and feelings as a love song where Prufrock feels insecure and isolated when it comes to interacting with women.