lovesong of j alfred prufrock

1. Paraphrase
The first part of the poem is an introduction into the
characters world. Prufrock is inviting the reader to walk
with him into the streets. He notices a social gathering
of women discussing Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
Smoke and fog spreads across the city. He compares the
fog to a cat, rubbing its head on and licking objects,
and curling up to sleep. He tells himself that there will
be time to do many things. There will be time to do
things before sitting with a woman to take toast and
tea.

2. Paraphrase
The second part of the poem deals with Pruforck reflecting on his
actions and being bothered by the manner in which other people
perceive him. He says there will be time to ponder, whether he dares
to go near a woman. He thinks about turning back. His hair is going
bald and his arms and legs are thin. He even doubts the acceptability
of his clothes and begins to feel self conscious. He will make a
decision and then reverse it. Prufrock realizes that the people here are
the same as the one’s he has already met, so why bother doing
anything? He wonders how he would present himself to them- his
unexciting, average life. He says he knows women like this before, and
the smell of their perfumes makes him think of them. Will he tell
women, that he watched as he walked down the narrow streets, how
lonely men leaned out of their windows observing life go by but
taking no action. Time passes by peacefully. He thinks, should I take a
change and live a little? He remembers how much he has suffered.
The opportunity is passing. He sees death up close and admits his fear
of it.

3. Paraphrase
In the final part of the poem, Prufrock mediates if he
had acted without question, then would women still
reject him regardless. Would it have been worthwhile
not to be alone? He compares himself to Hamlet; both
are indecisive. Prufrock lacks Hamlet’s charisma and
majesty. Therefore he connects more with Polonius,
the attendant lord. Prufrock realizes that time is
passing as he grows older. He is going through a
middle-age crisis. He considers changing his hair and
clothes. Like Odysseus, he has heard songs of the
sirens. However, they are not singing to him and he
cannot break free of his bonds.