T.S Eliot’s modernist poem ‘The Lovesong of J.Alfred Prufrock’ is set in a dull city, and its protagonist is a disconsolate man who is afraid of living and therefore feels bored within a monotonous society. In ‘The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock’, Eliot insightfully explores how the mundane, ritualistic nature of modern society can leave one in a state of emotional paralysis. This is conveyed through the dramatic monologue of the protagonist Prufrock which directly spoke to me as it epitomised the universal feelings associated with monotonous routine. The romantic imperative gesture “let us go then” is immediately juxtaposed by the immobilising simile “like a patient etherized upon a table,” which to me highlighted the inherent struggle between action and inaction. This stuck with me as I constantly feel like I am going through the motions of life, but not truly being present in the moment. Also, the metaphor “measured out with coffee spoons,” allowed me to understand that the daily rituals of modern society reduces life to a meaningless, mechanical repetition. Therefore, Eliot’s poem resonated with me as it allowed me to comprehend how our mundane society leaves us emotionally stilted.

Eliot also employs his masterful poetic style in Prufrock to express that one’s insecurities and fear of judgement can lead them to a state of isolation and disconnection from others. This is apparent as insecure Prufrock fails to make meaningful connections with those around him. For example, the anaphoric line “the women come and go; talking of Michelangelo,” alludes to a great Italian artist who is known for idealising the male form; its repetition elucidates to me Prufrock’s feelings of ineptitude by subsequent of these ideals. This notion has stuck with me as I questioned how many people, including myself, can fall into the trap of allowing other people to determine our insecurities, leading us to isolate ourselves as a defence mechanism. Eliot further establishes this through the metaphor “chambers of the sea” which amplifies his state of deep depression and isolation that he is drowning in.

Overall, this modernist poem enabled me to comprehend how insecurities can cause one to turn away from the external world as a protective response to the fear of judgement. This poem also stuck with me as it confronted me, a member of society, into realising the ritualistic nature of my life which disallows me from truly living.

After listening to this week’s lecture and closely analysing Du Bois’ writing, I am able to realise the power and essentiality of his message. Du Bois confronts the pervasive issue of racism through the infamous statement; “the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the colour-line”. This significant statement refers to the continuous discrimination that African American people encounter on a regular basis, despite countless historical movements and icons that have advocated for equality and freedom. Subsequently, Du Bois seeks to gain answers as to why racism still exists within the twentieth century, and establishes the concept of the ‘colour-line’. To me, the ‘colour-line’ essentially refers to the division between Europeans and African Americans due to the colour of one’s skin. It is the notion that human nature prevents us from acquiring equality and acceptance, as it is human nature to think that anyone or anything that is different from us, is bad. Du Bois confronts society into questioning their morality, and how one can justify the act of mistreating people and refusing them from attaining their human rights due to the colour of their skin. Du Bois’ statement demands us to take notice of the racism that is still present in a contemporary society as well as the inequities of power. The concept that a person can be inferior to others simply because of their race is brought into question. I think that Du Bois’ teaching is a pivotal one, and that society must be reminded of the way we judge and mistreat one another, and how this prevents us from living in a liberated society built on acceptance and equality.