Prufrock

Prufrock refers to the titular character of the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot. Published in 1915, the poem is a seminal work of modernist literature, exploring themes of alienation, indecision, and the anxieties of modern urban life. J. Alfred Prufrock is depicted as an intellectual and sensitive man paralyzed by self-doubt and a fear of social interaction and judgment. He contemplates making a significant "visit" or proposal, but his overwhelming insecurity and perceived inadequacy prevent him from acting.

The poem is presented as a dramatic monologue, offering an intimate and often fragmented glimpse into Prufrock's inner thoughts. He is characterized by his intellectualism, his awareness of his own aging and physical imperfections, and his inability to communicate his desires or connect meaningfully with others. Eliot uses vivid imagery and allusions to literature and mythology to convey Prufrock's sense of isolation and his feeling of being out of place in the world. The poem's title itself, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," is ironic, as it is not a declaration of love but rather a confession of his failure to express it. The character has become a symbol of the modern anti-hero, embodying a profound sense of existential ennui and the struggle for meaning in a complex society.