Essay, Research Paper
The early examples of dramatic monologue created strong expectations about the genre. This unique type of poetry offers a refreshing change from other types of poetry and intrigues the reader, beckoning an analysis and interpretation of the speaker and his or her character. Two defining early dramatic monologues are; Robert Browning s “My Last Duchess” and Lord Alfred Tennyson s “Ulysses”. These two poems, both written mid-nineteenth century, share many characteristics. Both speak through the voice of a single speaker, to an audience, about a specific situation in a realistic format. These words, in essence, reveal the character of the poetic speaker. The two poems also have notable speakers who hold an important position in the world and are attempting to persuade their listeners. By the time T.S. Eliot arrived on the scene, these conventions of the dramatic monologue were all but set in stone. With “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, written in the twentieth century, Eliot alters the tradition. Eliot redefines the form and expectations of the dramatic monologue set by poets such as Tennyson and Browning. His speaker is average, and there is no audience to persuade. The format is circular as opposed to linear. Eliot uses the subversion of two aspects of dramatic monologue (i.e. the speaker and the audience) to support the third aspect of the poem (i.e. the character). Eliot offers this subverted format in order to emphasize the solitude of the speaker and the isolation of his message from an audience.
The main focus of the dramatic monologue is the speaker. The speaker represents one of the three traditional conventions for the genre. The poem should be uttered by a single speaker who is clearly not the poet, and the utterance [should take] place in a specific situation at a critical moment” (RP 175). This criteria can be easily seen as the most distinctive feature of the dramatic monologue. For example, in “The Last Duchess”, the speaker is a Duke who is clearly not Tennyson, he is specifically in his house showing a paining of his last wife before negotiating a marriage to a new wife. The storyline takes place very realistically, as if we (the readers) are somehow eavesdropping on the Duke at that moment in his life.
In contrast, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” has a speaker who is not necessarily revealed (aside from the title). In other dramatic monologues the speaker holds an important social position. Here, J. Alfred Prufrock does not represent an important figure. Prufrock states himself that “No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be” (111). This oversteps the boundaries created by other poems. The tone of the speaker also covertly defies the tone of other dramatic monologue. In “The Last Duchess”, the Duke says “Nay, we ll go down together..” (53) in a very forward way. In “Prufrock”, the speaker repeatedly questions “So how should I presume…And how should I begin?” (54,69) in an indecisive way. While the tradition shows a forward and confident speaker, Prufrock is anything but confident.
Similarly, the situation in “Prufrock” is not specific. Although the first stanza suggests a specific occasion, later on Eliot jumps back and forth through different streams of consciousness. The poem starts with “a soft October night” (21) and ends in the “chambers of the sea” (129). The story does not follow the realistic progress of an event. Instead, Prufrock refers to “the women …talking of Michaelangelo” (13-14) a number of times throughout the poem. Along with this reference, there are a number of repeated references, including the faltering questions he asks throughout the poem. The “non-linearity” of the poem rejects the traditional guidelines of the dramatic monologue. Instead of some critical moment the speaker generally speaks of what comes to mind. While both Tennyson and Browning s poems refer to a present situation, the speaker reminisces on his past. Almost all the wording in the poem refers to the past. In fact, there are no overwhelming clues as to the setting of the poem at all. The poem instead discusses different situations, such as a foggy night, a social occasion, a wriggling bug, greatness passed, regrets felt, humanity, mermaids and old age. Many of the speaker and situation guidelines set by past poems were, in turn, subverted in “Prufrock”.
The second feature of the dramatic monologue is the audience. This is the feature which forces the reader to become immersed in the poems and find answers to lingering questions. In this aspect of dramatic monologue, “the speaker addresses and interacts with one or more auditors, although this is revealed only by what the single speaker says” (RP 175). In Tennyson s “Ulysses”, the speaker repeatedly refers to “we” and “you and I” throughout the poem. He beckons them, saying “Come, my friends/ Tis not too late to seek a newer world” (56). This is the textual evidence revealed in the poem which alludes to the audience. In the poem, Ulysses speaks to fellow seamen and tries to persuade them to come away on another journey. This brings to the forefront another related aspect which is not necessarily a feature of all dramatic monologue, but is found in many poems of this genre. Ulysses tries to persuade the seamen to come away with him, and the Duke tries to persuade the listener of his greatness and expectations. The poems are an attempt to coerce the listener. Furthermore, to persuade the listener, the speaker must not only “address” them, but “interact” with them.
In Eliot s poem, all these expectations are unfulfilled. Prufrock says in the first stanza “Let us go then, you and I” (1), yet aside from this beginning, there is very little textual evidence to support a listener at all, let alone evidence to tell the reader who the listener is. There is no evidence of any interaction with a listener, Prufrock only continues speaking without a particular focus or response from any auditor. The strongest piece of evidence for this concept does not lie in the poem itself but in its epigraph. The epigraph states:
“If I thought I spoke to someone who would return to the world, this flame would tremble no longer. But if what I hear is true, since no one has ever returned alive from this place, I can answer you without fear of infamy” (From Dante s Inferno)
The lost tone of the epigraph foreshadows that the listener, if any, is remote, and that the message was supposed to be lost. This contradicts the unofficial tradition of persuasion in dramatic monologue. If Prufrock never intended on anyone hearing what he has to say, there is no way he can be attempting to convince someone of his ideas. The poem suggests, instead, that Prufrock is talking to himself. Although he occasionally uses the pronoun “we”, the poem does not reveal who this audience is, and its connection to Prufrock. This second feature of the dramatic monologue is also subverted by Eliot.
The third feature, however, is present in the poem. “The speaker s utterance reveals his or her character to the reader” (RP 175). This comprises the last traditional aspect of the dramatic monologue. In essence, the subversion of the other two aspects reinforces Eliot s character portrayal of J. Alfred Prufrock. Prufrock is a weak man, seemingly incapable of making decisions, and afraid of the world around him. He says:
And, in short, I was afraid.
And would it have been worth it, after all,…
If one, setting a pillow by her head,
Should say; “That is not what I meant at all;
That is not it, at all.” (86-98)
Prufrock fears judgment from society, so he isolates himself from the world. He accepts his lower station in life, yet is saddened that he has “heard the mermaids singing” (124) and knows that they will not sing to him. The tradition of a speaker who holds a high and important position in life serves to exacerbate the average qualities of Prufrock. Although Ulysses and the Duke may not be as heroic as they think convey they are, they were confident in their decisions. On the other hand, Prufrock made almost no decisions. He says that “In a minute there is time/ For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse” (47), and shows his own doubt and fear of making any forward moves. This weakness is fitting since there is no audience for Prufrock to persuade. Even if Prufrock were attempting to persuade, he has no focused message to convey. The format of the poem serves to show Prufrock s isolation, since he has no audience. Since dramatic monologue traditionally has an audience, the effect is that much greater. Although the genre generally deals with a “specific situation at a critical moment” (RP 175), Prufrock s logic is circular and unrealistic. In comparison with other dramatic monologues, these differences are magnified.
After close analysis of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, the reader may wonder if it was all some colossal mistake. Maybe Eliot never intended for this to be a dramatic monologue. Instead, however, it shows the creative genius of the man. Eliot manipulated the conventions of dramatic monologue to further support his characterization of Prufrock. By twisting the speaker, situation and audience of the poem, Eliot illustrates the speaker s persona. He worked within the structure to show the weak, anti-social, isolated, pathetic Prufrock not only by words, but by a subversion of a long-lived tradition in dramatic monologue.
Другие работы по теме:
So Called Love Song Essay Research Paper
The so-called Love Song The ironic character of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” an early poem by T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) in the form of a dramatic monologue, is introduced in its title. Eliot is talking, through his speaker, about the absence of love, and the poem, so far from being a “song,” is a meditation on the failure of romance.
Themes Of The Love Song Of Alfred
J. Prufrock Essay, Research Paper In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, T.S. Eliot uses allusions as well as imagery to develop his theme that life is too short to allow fear s hesitation to stop us from living true to dreams of happiness because we will all be judged in the end. This multi-layered poem is the internal monologue of the character J.
Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead Essay Research
Paper In response to the bloody battles of World War I, the Theatre of the Absurd was born. Soldiers surrounded by death and destruction often found no other relief but to laugh at the absurdity of noble, but increasingly meaningless traditional rhetoric and patriotism. This laughter was a response to not only the absurdity of their situation, but also to the absurd responses of others to their situation.
Awakening Essay Research Paper S Eliot
Awakening Essay, Research Paper .S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a poem which enters the dynamic consciousness of its title character, whose feelings, thoughts and emotions are displayed in a motley but organized sequence, as they ride the man’s wavering mood. His is a mood wavering more often towards haplessness than fulfillment, because Prufrock is a man caught in a vicious cycle of introspection, journey, and retreat.
The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock
Essay, Research Paper When our lives begin, we are innocent and life is beautiful, but as we grow older and time slowly and quickly passes we discover that not everything about life is quite so pleasing. Along with the joys and happiness we experience there is also pain, sadness and loneliness. Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” and Eliot’s “The Love Song of J.
Anlysis Of
“Dream On Monkey Mountain” By Derek Wallcot And “The Love Song” By Alfred Prufrock Essay, Research Paper The conscious and subconscious are two important themes in discussing both the 1919 poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot, and the Derek Walcott’s 1967 play “Dream on Monkey Mountain.” In discussing the authors use of the conscious and subconscious in these two works many similarities and differences can be found.
Characteristic Downfall Essay Research Paper Characteristic Downfall
Characteristic Downfall Essay, Research Paper Characteristic Downfall In T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” the author isestablishing the trouble the narrator is having dealing with middleage. Prufrock(the narrator) believes that age is a burden and is deeplytroubled by it.. His love of some women cannot be because he feels theprime of his life is over.
My Last Duchess Essay Research Paper 2
My Last Duchess Essay, Research Paper The Haunting Aristocrat In his dramatic monologue, Robert Browning uses irony, diction, and imagery to achieve a haunting effect.
A Dramatic Monologue Essay Research Paper They
A Dramatic Monologue Essay, Research Paper They will be back in twenty-five minutes, But I’ll show them. I’ll show them that I can do this. Climb these steps like everyone else. They think I’m decrepit, a burden, old.
Eliot
’s Views Of Sexuality As Revealed In The Behavior Of Pru Essay, Research Paper Eliot’s Views of Sexuality as revealed in the behavior of Prufrock and Sweeney.
Contender Essay Research Paper During the course
Contender Essay, Research Paper During the course of THE CONTENDER, by Robert Lipsyte, Alfred is influenced by several characters who help him grow, change and learn. Two of the most important were Mr. Donatelli, the owner of the gym, and Alfred’s Aunt Pearl.
The Modern Temper Essay Research Paper In
The Modern Temper Essay, Research Paper In the time period from 1915-1945, America was undergoing dramatic changes. These changes were noticeable in everything from the economy to they way authors were writing. Many of the authors in this time period turned to humor and most stories held a sense of alienation.
The Romantically Impaired Prufrock Essay Research Paper
The Romantically Impaired Prufrock T.S. Eliot’s “The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock” depicts the complexity of the modern age. Eliot, himself justified the complexity by arguing that the poet, who is to serve as the interpreter and critic of a complex age, must write complex poetry. And certainly we would all agree that the 20th century was a complex age(Martin 423).
Prufrock
’s Insecurities Essay, Research Paper J. Alfred Prufrock and His Insecurities Born in America, T.S. Eliot s relocation to Britain was the first sign of his identity crisis. Eliot was obsessed with anything British, and he also had an internal religious conflict. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is Eliot s way to express his self through a different character.
The Use Of Dramatic Monologue To Create
Moral Dilemma In Brow Essay, Research Paper Valencic 1 Trials and hearings take place frequently in our society today. In a trial, it is the job of two lawyers to persuade a jury to see a situation a certain way, regardless if it is the right way, the truthful way, or if it is even the way they themselves see it. It is then the jury’s obligation, after listening to both sides of the story, to make a decision based on the evidence presented, and in most cases, the evidence is either not presented in its entirety or overwhelmingly slanted to fit one side’s particular case.
TS Eliot Interpretation Of Wasteland Essay Research
Paper SURREALISM AND T.S. ELIOT Surrealism is a dangerous word to use about the poet, playwright and critic T.S. Eliot, and certainly with his first major work, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock “. Eliot wrote the poem, after all, years before Andre Breton and his compatriots began defining and practicing “surrealism” proper.
Robert Browning`S
“My Last Duchess” Essay, Research Paper My Last Duchess Essay written by Anonymous A dramatic monologue is a poem in which a single speaker who is not the poet recites the entire poem at a critical moment. The speaker has a listener within the poem, but the reader of the poem is also one of the speakers listeners.
My Last Duchess 2 Essay Research Paper
My Last Duchess A dramatic monologue is defined as a poem in which a single character is speaking to a person or persons- usually about an important topic. The purpose of most dramatic monologues is to provide the reader with an overall or intimate view of the character s personality. A great poet can use punctuation and rhythm to make the poem appear as if it were an actual conversation.
Prufrock Essay Research Paper PrufrockTS Eliot
Prufrock Essay, Research Paper Prufrock T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” is the interior monlogue of a truly tragic character. It is interesting that Eliot presents the downfall of a man in such a light and humerous manner. The beginning of the poem is very light-hearted as we see an old man trying desperately to escape the effects of aging.
Karshish By Robert Browning Essay Research Paper
Robert Browning?s ?An Epistle Containing the Strange Medical Experience of Karshish, the Arab Physician? is a dramatic monologue in which Karshish writes to Abib about his experiencing the miracle of Jesus, when he raises Lazarus from the dead. ?Karshish? is a dramatic monologue containing most of the tenets of Browning.Although ?Karshish? is in the form of a letter, it is still an excellent example of a dramatic monologue.
Robert Browning Essay Research Paper My Last
Robert Browning Essay, Research Paper My Last Duchess, by Robert Browning, is an example of a dramatic monologue. A dramatic monologue is a kind of narrative poem in which one character speaks to one or more listeners whose replies are not given in the poem. The Duke is speaking to an envoy about his fisrt wife who is apparently dead.
The Love Song Of J Alfred Pr
Essay, Research Paper There have been many different themes in that of American and European literature. Some themes display a sort of romantic side of society and other themes display dark disillusionment of it all. Existentialism is a common theme among post war writers in which they display a character s scorn of society and their realization of its downfall.
Love Song Of Prufrock Essay Research Paper
The ironic character of "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," an early poem by T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) in the form of a dramatic monologue, is introduced in its title. Eliot is talking, through his speaker, about the
The Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock
Essay, Research Paper ?There is a difference between the way Prufrock sees himself, and the way the poem reveals him to us. He dramatises himself as a sensitive and slightly tragic figure; the poem exposes him as comic?. Does this correspond to your own reading of ?The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock??
Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock Essay
, Research Paper Love, Lust or Lackluster Lifestyle? The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock demonstrates the effects of social and economicpressure in the life of a Victorian man. T.S. Eliot shows us, in an ironic monologue, how thereality of age and social position paralyzes his character with fear. The poem opens with six linesfrom Dante s Infernio .
An Explication Of
“The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock” Essay, Research Paper Explication of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” By: Brian Locey – California State University Fresno
My Explication Of
“The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock” Essay, Research Paper My Explication of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” Prufrock begins his “Love” song with a peculiar quote from Dante’s Divine Comedy. It reads: “If I believed that my answer were to a person who could ever return to the world, this flame would no longer quiver.
Analysis Of The Love Song Of J
Alfred Prufrock. Essay, Research Paper . Alfred Prufrock constantly lived in fear, in fear of life and death. T. S. Eliot divided his classic poem into three equally important sections. Each division provided the reader with insight into the mental structure of J. Alfred Prufrock. In actuality, Prufrock maintained a good heart and a worthy instinct, but he never seemed to truly exist.
Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock -
– Analysis Essay, Research Paper “The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock” has some incredible and magical imagery, yet the individual images are not the guiding force or theme of the poem. The theme of the poem is Prufrock, split between two worlds, between a world of beauty and art, and one clear, cold, and calculated, “measured out? with coffeespoons,” and his indecision to reveal this split to another person.
Prufrock Essay Research Paper The Love Song
Prufrock Essay, Research Paper The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock – Characteristic Downfall In T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” the author is establishing the trouble the narrator is having dealing with middle age. Prufrock(the narrator) believes that age is a burden and is deeply troubled by it..
Hamlet And J Alfred Prufrock Essay Research
Paper Hamlet and J. Alfred Prufrock Hamlet and J Alfred Prufrock have three major things in common; question and rationalize theirs situations as well as procrastinate. In this essay, I will explain how they both handle their situations through quotes and how a life of doing so has affected them.
On The Love Song Of J. Alfred
Prufrock Essay, Research Paper On The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, T. S. Eliot reveals the thoughts and feelings of the poem?s subject, Prufrock, in a way that Prufrock could not have articulated himself, since it is the poem?s objective to illustrate Prufrock?s insecurity.
J Alfred Prufrock Is He Gay Essay
, Research Paper Is J. Alfred Prufrock Gay? When we read T. S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” you almost get the feeling that Prufrock is gay. In fact, when the story is read a bit more in depth you can conclude that he is gay.