T. S. Eliot

How is this poem not ranked higher? This piece is considered a masterpiece of the Modernist movement.

The poem offers a fine example of the use of human psychology. The behaviour of Mr Prufrock shows his mental agony, inferiority complex and suppressed desire. Mr Prufrock has beenpresented by Eliot as a tragic figure with the classical flaw and timidity. This timidity of his forces himnot to take any action. He is intensely self-conscious and always thinks what the lady might say when he would present himself before the lady. He thinks she will comment 'How his hair is growing thin? ' And again 'Buthow his arms and legs are thin? ' Prufrock is quite aware of his tragic flaw hence to attain required courage and strength he takes shelter of fasting and praying and tries to comparehimself to John the Baptist but all ends in smoke as he suffers bitterly from this tragic flaw. I liked the poem for its strong structure and vivid imagery.

Another translation of the epigraph:


``If I thought that I was speaking to
A soul that one day may return to see the world,
Most probably this flame would cease to flicker;
But as no one ever returns alive from this deep pit,
If this is the truth I hear,
Without fear of dishonor I answer you''

(Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy: Inferno, Canto XXVII,61-66)

The older I grow, the more I appreciate this poem. Wonderful imagery! Such poignancy for a life lived and soon to be over!

I think this poem is one of the best poems I've read at the University. Another awesome poem is 'Ode Triunfal' from Fernando Pessoa.

I had not read this, for such a long time. It reminds me of the grandfather of a long lost childhood friend. On days we 'vacationed' from school, we would go around to grandfather' Chalk's house, eat sweets(candies) and watch never ending horse racing on tv.Grandfather Chalk would, when encouraged with drink, carry on with us a mostly one sided conversation about life, hell, philosophers, past loves and when stretched completly random mutterings, very loosely attached to each other.This was constantly interrupted by the ends of the horse races, in a fit of cursing when his chosen horse came fourth, last or fell.
I enjoyed the visits, enjoyed the hard to follow conversation, learnt a few thingsand cameto appreciate a fe finer things in life.
Yes, i liked this poem.

just enjoy the poem. any poem is about u loving it or not. dont try so hard to prove u undersatnd the poet because chances are - you don't. Not many ever will. just enjoy it!

I do not know what's the issue between Gerome and Shane, but I'd like to tell Shane you keep using 'your' when you should use 'you're.'

I read this poem more than 50 times and everything I find something that I love more than the last time I read it. I put this poem is one of my top 10 of all time.

One of the most beautiful lines I have ever read and the last stanza is phenonmenal
'I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.I do not think that they will sing to me.'


We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

I think your premature at analyzing poetry if you find such a great work to be elementary. Its hard for me to listen to you compare Eliot's work to Sylvester the cat, and not think your utterly ridiculous.

I don't think winning a Nobel prize makes Eliot a great poet, I think his work speaks for itself without mass human recognition.

You should really give this poem a couple more reads before you make such superficial comments.