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How Does Prufrock Conform

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T.S Eliot's character Alfred J. Prufrock communicates to the reader feelings of alienation. He represents the society of T.S Elliots time. Prufrock feels isolated from society and trapped in an environment that is dull, bleak, and meaningless. He clearly expresses his fear of running out of time, which could result in the loss of his ability to find a mate. His lack of self-esteem steers him away from women in fear of what they will think of him and/or being rejected. He lives down to society’s expectations of him, or what he thinks their expectations are. Prufrock says that “[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”] and “They will say: “But how his arms and legs are growing thin!”] (41-44) these are just suppositions however others opinions play a big part in determining what Prufrock does and how he acts. Because of Prufrocks negative expectations for situations (eg. Talking to a woman), it shapes his behavior and attitude which …show more content…

He feels if he were to challenge the universe, he would disturb its equilibrium. Prufrock says that he is terrified of “The eyes that fix him in a formulated phrase” (Elliot 56), suggesting that he is filled with insecurity and fears judgment and criticism from others. He feels like he is inferior to those around him and will never be able to live up to their expectations. Prufrock accepts the fact that he will always be rejected and brushed off by women. In Prufrocks eyes, things will always be the same for him and he will never make any progress or accomplish anything. Prufrock compares himself to an insect “pinned and wriggling on the wall” (55-58), which means that he feels small and meaningless. Alfred J. Prufrock can identify his dilemma but lacks the braveness to do resolve it and therefore he lives his mediocre and inadequate life feeling isolated, unaccomplished, and

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