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I think It is called the love song of alfred j purfrock because I believe that alfred has just lost his wife, who he loved. We see this is a number of examples given to us throughout the poem, for example the way that he portrays the dark and depressing mood of the poem through his own angst and suffering that one would expect a person who has just lost someone they deeply love. It shows in the first paragraph, how the atmoshpere is related to the “yellow smoke that slides along the street” and the feelings of isolation through this quote“loneliness of the males peering out the window” , It also shows through the fear of confronting “ the women” who I believe are the spouse's friends, stating “ do I dare, do I dare turn back and descend the stairs? Finally I found that the words choses in the poem portray death in many ways such as “ like a patient etherized on the table” and “I am Lazarus, come from the dead, Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all.” I also found an action that is often done at funerals, the placement of the pillow behind the head of the deceased inside the casket shown in the qoute “If one, settling a pillow by her head” and also the removal of a shawl. These two quotes are clearly indicative of death. It is because of this dark atmosphere and through his own suffering that I came to the conclusion that the title is not ironic and that he did love her, but he is grieving.


Purfrock describes himself as a man that is deeply depressed, lost, scared and is an old/feeble man. This depression is shown by the way he is constantly using dark language such as “death”, “soot”, “darkness” , ‘loneliness” and “seeing his greatness flicker away”. He seems lost because he is constantly asking for some direction in life by asking questions, such as “do i dare?”, “do I proceed?” and “ is there much more?” These types of questions are also indicative of his fear of the future. He also describes himself is being very old because his hair is being lost, he is thin, and he also refers to himself as old by "combing his white hair".

The women of the poem I believe are the friends of the deceased, they are social with each other. They drink tea and toast to the person that has just been lost, they are friendly with alfred when he states “ I know arms I’ve known them all, white bracelets and bare.” Which could represent a hug of condolences between friends. The one quote that seemed to stick in my mind was “ they come and go, talking of Michelangelo.” which I interpreted as them trying to change the subject with unrelated topics in an attempt to cheer up Alfred and shift his thoughts elsewhere. It is through these interpretations, that i found the women in the poem are attempting to be a comforting presence, although it is unsuccessful.

Part 2.

For the story of Demeter and Persephone, I think that the main value that is being taught is the bond between a mother and her daughter, no matter how important your civic duties are, the people you love should always come first.

Comments

[cruella24]

It didn't occur to me at all that Purfrock had just lost his wife and found your take on it with that point of view very enlightening! Thanks so much!

[flower123]

It is very interesting the way you view Purfrock mentioning about the death of his wife i never realized that thank you so much for that insight it seems to make more sense now why he speaks that way.

[charlie130]

I also agree with the first 2 posts I would have thought that he lost his wife thanks for the incite! I also really enjoyed your thoughts on the universal theme of part B, how the people you love should always come first because it is so true

[take_flight]

I find it very interesting, coming from a phsychology stand point, how differently each person can interpret the same piece of work. In reading this poem I saw nothing in relation to Prufrock's wife having died or to him ever having had a wife for that matter. Eventhough I did not see it this way when I read your examples and explanations it makes perfect sense in that way as well. I guess that is why, as Brenda pointed out, that even scholars can not seem to come to a consensus on this one. Thank your for your reflection!