1. What is the significance of the poem’s epigraph? How does it relate to Prufrock?
The epigraph is from Dante’s Inferno. Dante is saying that he is unafraid to tell his story because no one has ever come back from hell. No one can say that he is wrong or can disgrace him. The epigraph relates to Prufrock because his story includes his private thoughts. Prufrock’s story is not meant for a wide audience because he is so self-conscious. There is a certain level of privacy like in Dante’s Inferno because both works are not meant to be judged by the public. No one else had insight into their particular work.
2. Make a list of questions that Prufrock asks. Do you see a pattern/theme to these questions or are they random?
He asks: What is it? Do I dare? So how should I presume? Should I, after tea and cakes and ices, have the strength to force the moment to its crisis? Shall I part my hair behind? The questions are not random and all show Prufrock’s hesitation. His questioning shows a theme of uncertainty and fear. Prufrock is very self–conscience and that shows up in all of his questions as well. He is not sure if he should do one thing or another and even trivial worries eat away at him. There is also a pattern of repetition in many of his questions. This repetition shows his anxiety about what is to come later in his life.
3. What do you think is Prufrock’s main flaw/problem?
His main flaw is his character because he is constantly worrying. He is uncertain about himself and his decisions. He is incredibly self-conscience and doesn’t want to be judged by others. He is a minor character in his world and does nothing of great importance. He also never experiences love in his life and is preoccupied with his worries.
4. Why do you think this is called a love song? In what way is it a love song?
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