preview

Comparing The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock And The Hollow Men

Decent Essays

T.S Eliot explores the struggle of individuals through reconciliation of their perspectives on the world and their place within it by displaying the thoughts and emotions of the personas in which embody him in the poems, ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ and ‘The Hollow Men.’ The existentialistic view on things coupled with the experiences and discoveries which the personas have already made identifies the internal struggle and disillusionment with society that an individual has whilst undertaking the journey of self realization in fear of being rejected or unable to live a meaningful existence. In ‘The Love Song,’ Prufrocks’ inability to live a meaningful existence in the modern world stems from his humanity (or lack thereof) as his existentialism …show more content…

Eliot is seen to suggest that much like a scarecrow, the hollow men have a bleak and meaningless life, much like that of an existentialist, as their body is stuffed with nothingness described through the visual imagery of “headpiece filled with straw.” This comparison is also very metaphoric, as it indicates that the person is dead inside and so is lead to a life without emotion or passion to drive them, leaving the contemplation of their place within the …show more content…

And how should I presume?” This is highlighting Prufrocks life of decadence as he feels that the scientific eyes that watch him, much like an insect, have a hold on him, forcing him to talk about or explain his life, however he is afraid to do this as it means he must reconcile his perspective of the world and assimilate with the broken society around

Get Access