Prufrock

Modernism is a type of writing or work that represents the breakdown of traditional society. It tends to represent modern society as a great loss or ruin. Most modern work/poems are simplistic does not require much thought or explanation. The writings lack connections, explanation and it allows the reader to acquire their own meaning of what is written. Some of the writings lean on imagery to help explain the meaning of the text. The modern man tends to have a negative outlook on life, and knows that not everything in life will be “happy-go-lucky”. One can believe that Prufrock is a modern man, because he puts off trying to make a connection to the world and the women around him. He states multiple times in the poem “there will be time (25).

He dwells in the missed opportunities and the “what-could-have-been”. An important aspect that the author uses in the poem is the stream of conscious. The concept reflects on the modern mans-Prufrock- mentality. Güleryüz stated in his article that “Eliot sets his speakers to journeys for meaning and answer, reveals their fragmented visions, and analyzes the modern man’s perception of life, norms and faith.” One can see that in this poem. You can see Prufrocks look on life and how he contemplates each step he takes, not sure on which direction to go. Prufrock makes the statement “ Do I dare? And Do I dare” (37). This, yet again, shows him contemplating his actions. He thinks that he is just an old bald man and that no one will really see him, for who he is. He is afraid to go out of his way to get people to notice him. Prufrock is lonely and one may can say that Prufrock would be happier dead then living on earth. The last few lines of the poem suggest that he wants to “drown” out society and the people around him. That he feels empty when he is around people, as if there is no use in even trying to be social. He feels like there is no point in life if he can talk to the women and interact with them like he pleases too. In a way, one almost feels sorry for Prufrock, but then again, he could fix his situation if he wanted too. Güleryüz makes this statement on Prufrock, “…his aging or his inability to relate other people-