![]() The insect metaphor used here reveals Prufrock’s state of misery. The quote here shows an image of an insect being pinned up on a wall, ready to be inspected and analyzed. And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin, when I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,”(605). Eliot uses an insect metaphor to illustrate how Prufrock feels judged by everyone all the time. ![]() This leads to his paralysis If a fictional being will not even take the time to notice him, why waste time with humans? Aside from beauty, the feeling of always being watched, judged, and analyzed plays a monumental role in Prufrock’s paralysis. Prufrock has zero self-confidence thinking that a mermaid will not bother to sing to him. Interesting how he believes that a fictional and mythological creature will not even notice him. ![]() Eliot presents a clear image of Prufrock recalling a time of listening to mermaids sing to each other, but not singing to him. I do not think that they will sing to me,” (607). “I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. A perfect example of Prufrock’s depression, lack of confidence, and absolutely no motivation at all, is when Eliot writes about mermaids. ![]() Posing questions like “do I dare eat a peach” and “shall I part my hair to the side,” shows Prufrock accepting his flaws and in the end, making himself less motivated and somewhat depressed. All of this contributes to his paralysis. Prufrock has not motivation at all, and no confidence in himself. Appearing young to him, means being beautiful, thus being noticed by others. Here, the reader see’s that Prufrock knows he is getting old, and by saying he will wear his trousers rolled and part his hair, he wants to appear young. Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? ” (606). “I grow old…I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. The use of questions throughout the poem shows Prufrock’s indecision.Įliot uses questions as a way to show how Prufrock escapes having to act with courage and decisiveness. He descends the stair, because Prufrock is too nervous and does not feel youthful enough or beautiful enough to pursue any social activity. He does not feel good enough, which explains his reason for him to “Descend the stair,” (604). Look at the line “they will say,” this is a clear image of Prufrock’s fear of being judged. The readers can see from this quote how Prufrock has little to no confidence in himself at all. The readers get a clear image of what Prufrock looks like. “With a bald spot in the middle of my hair – (They will say: ‘how is hair is growing thin! ’),”(604). His constant thoughts of not being beautiful enough, and always feeling as people are judging him, make him feel not strong enough thus leading to not being able to pursue anything. Beauty plays a crucial role in Prufrock’s paralysis. This is a constant struggle with Prufrock because he always feels as if he is not good enough. The second use of “being etherized,” is that he incapable of relating to the beauty of the world, which is an immensely depressing thought to have. The first being how Prufrock views himself he feels as if he cannot achieve anything, as if he is in a constant state of being etherized. The use of ether in line three has two different meanings to it. Ether was once used as an anesthetic, which is a drug that puts patients to sleep for surgeries. “Like a patient etherized upon a table,”(603). From the start of the poem, the readers can see a sense of paralysis in Prufrock. Prufrock is a middle-aged man, who seems to be going through a mid life crisis, and is afraid to commit to anything. Eliot uses the theme of paralysis to demonstrate Prufrock’s struggle his social, maybe even sexual, struggles. Eliot uses the theme of Paralysis, the incapacity to act, throughout the whole poem. The worst part about his uselessness is that he is conscious of it. The poem shows constant struggles of Prufrock’s uselessness. The poem concerns with a character (Prufrock) that can see and understand the values in life – love, joy, companionship, and courageousness – but is unable to act on his longings.
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