Lovesong Of J. Prufrock By T. S. Eliot: An Analysis

“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” F. Scott Fitzgerald. Life is a battle that is impossible to win. But its easier to succeed when it’s not given up on. So why would Fitzgerald say this, maybe to encourage others to keep going with the struggle of life. What does it mean to accepted a single defeat with a final defeat? In T.S. Eliot’s The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock, the main protagonist suffers from this issue, he has looked on his past and sees only the defeats, not looking for the victories: so here is some advice to you Mr Prufrock. Mr. Prufrock the first piece of advice I have for you is to stop measuring your life with coffee spoons, start using sugar spoons. By this I mean go places find, people on the same intellectual level as you. Make connections, let not another day slip by, “I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,” (Prufrock pg 711). Let the eternal footman not a reason to snicker, for every last breath you take is a chance for your greatness to flicker, but let it not simply flicker let it blaze with heat and radiance for all to see it. Make those who know you proud to be associated with you, live not one day

But thankfully it’s easy to fix, you will have to step out of your comfort zone, very far out of your comfort zone. Just talk to them, ‘“... If one, settling a pillow by her head, should say: “That is not what i meant at all. That is not it, at all.”’ (Prufrock pg 711). Women don’t often understand what men say, it will often go the opposite way too… figuring that this is a ‘two way street’ will help you find a good perspective on life, it will teach you from losing one or more “battle/s” with a girl, in the form of communication obviously, they have always been hard to understand. Don’t let the murmaids confuse you, don’t hear the human voices wake