Analysis of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Analysis of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Modernist Disillusionment in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Unlike the romantic period that preceded it, the modernist literary movement reflected the feelings of a Lost Generation affected by industrialization and war trauma. As such, modernist literature often employs cynical or detached worldviews in angsty tones. The most famous writer of the movement, T.S Eliot, explored modernist themes of disillusionment through poetry. One of his poems,The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, focuses on the theme of indecisiveness as a symptom of modernization in society. T.S Eliots Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is representative of the modernist literary canon through its exploration of the speakers personal feelings of anxiety and stagnation. The repetition of questions and refrains in The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock is used to express the speakers self-doubt and insecurity in a modernized, changing society. The poem primarily focuses on the speakers inability to talk to women, and how this relates to his fragile self-esteem as a whole. Throughout the poem, the speaker repeats,In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo (lines 13-14). This repeated observation of the women coming and going serves as a disruption to the speakers hypothetical dialogue with the woman he loves. He is unable to approach women because they intimidate him, especially in a new society where women are more educated and independent. The speaker also uses repetition by questioning himself ,How should I presume? (line 54). The question follows his memories of past rejections, wavering his resolve to pursue a woman romantically. He is so paralyzed by his insecurity that he cannot even hold a conversation. This repetition is significan t because it shows the speaker questioning his place in society, a common theme in modernist writing. Eliots poem also incorporates multiple allusions to classic literary works, which are indicative of modernist skepticism of tradition. The references come from varied texts, including the Bible, Dante, Chaucer, and Greek philosophers, but Eliot especially focuses on Shakespeare. In one stanza, the speaker laments No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord, one that will do To swell a progress, start a scene or two (lines 111-113). Here, the speaker feels a lack of personal agency, and only sees himself as an extension of others; he will only ever be in a supporting role for those who lead.ÂÂ   J. Alfred Prufrock will never lead a progress like Chaucer, or woo a coy mistress like Marvell, just like he will never be the Hamlet or Lazarus he wishes he was. He is too scared to even try. Classical allusions like this are a signature of the modernist writing, where the traditional is used as a framework for contemplating the contemporary. These allusions are meant to show the speakers weakness, of what he can never attain.They are not used for glorifying the past, but for questioning the present. In the poem, the speakers fear of inadequacy with women is connected to his larger fear of aging and mortality, and shows his existential crisis. When trying to gather the courage to pursue his romantic interest, the speaker resigns I am no prophet and heres no great matter; I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, And in short, I was afraid (lines 83-86). The speaker sees his social awkwardness as more than just situational; it is the story of his life, the only thing that defines his character. In every small failed interaction, he feels that his life has no importance, and that any instance of success is fleeting. He imagines Death, the eternal Footman, mocking him, just as he imagines women mocking him. Through this imagery, the speaker imagines his failure to win over the woman he loves as the literal death of him. By connecting romantic insecurity with existential insecurity, T.S. Eliot explores both the sma ll- and large-scale implications of modernist thought. Modernist literature differed from previous literary movements in its exploration of the internal mind, rather than the external world. Although deeply affected by external societal issues (industrialization, imperialism, war), modernist style primarily focuses on personal psyche. Modernist literary works often take the form of stream-of-consciousness, or in the case of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, dramatic monologue, rarely with any input of interpersonal dialogue. By turning the narrative inward, modernism sought to expose how the world at large can impact the individual body and mind. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock remains a primary example of modernism because of its ability to make the reader connect so personally with the speakers internal conflicts, and consequently understand the external conflicts of the early 20th century. Works Cited Eliot, T. S. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. N.p.: n.p., 1915. Print.

The Crusades Essay -- European History Muslim War Essays

The Crusades â€Å"The Crusades: series of wars by Western European Christians to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims.† (Encarta â€Å"Crusades†) The Crusades first began in 1096 and ended in the late 13th century. The term Crusade originally meant that the European’s would use all their efforts to regain the power from the Muslims. They wanted to retake the city of Jerusalem, which was holy to Christians because that’s where the crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred. Europeans later used it to allocate any military efforts against non-Christians. The Crusaders also created feudal states in the Near East. The Crusades played an important role of European expansion and colonialism. â€Å"They mark the first time Western Christendom undertook a military initiative far from home, the first time significant numbers left to carry their culture and religion abroad.† (Encarta â€Å"Crusades†) In addition to the efforts in the East, the Crusading movement includes other wars against Muslims, pagans, and dissident Christians and the general expansion of Christian Europe. â€Å"Originally the object of the crusade was to help the Christian Churches in the East.†(Mayer, 9) â€Å" Also on the agenda was the peace of God, i.e. the prohibition of feuding on certain days and the immunity of certain people, places, and things.†(Mayer, 8). Basically the Crusades were an expression of militant Christianity and European expansion. They combined religious interests with worldly and military views. Christians learned to live in different cultures; they also forced something of their own thoughts and beliefs on these cultures. The Crusades strongly affected the beliefs of people at the time, and to this day they are among the most famous chapters of medieval history. The crusades began to stir up after the death of Charlemagne, king of the Franks, in 814. After his death Christian Europe was under attack and weak. â€Å"Magyars, nomadic people from Asia, pillaged eastern and central Europe until the 10th century.† (Encarta â€Å"Crusades†). Starting in the year 800, Viking raids interrupted life in northern Europe and even Mediterranean cities. But the greatest threat came from the forces of Islam. This was in consequence to Muhammad their notorious leader dying, in 632. â€Å"By the 8th century, Islamic forces had conquered North Africa, the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, and most of Spain.† (Mayer, 3... ...Christian banner so far from home, given the contemporary conditions of transport and communication, was impressive.†(Encarta, â€Å"Crusades†). The most important effect of the Crusades was economic. The Italian cities prospered from the transport of Crusaders and replaced Byzantines and Muslims as merchant-traders in the Mediterranean. Trade passed through Italian hands to Western Europe with a tremendous profit. This power became the basis of economics in the Italian Renaissance. It also made powers such as the Atlantic like Spain and Portugal to seek trade through India and China. â€Å"Their efforts, through such explorers as Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, helped to open most of the world to European trade dominance and colonization and to shift the center of commercial activity from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.†(Encarta, â€Å"Crusades†). Works Cited Barker, Ernest. The Crusades: Books for Libraries Press. New York. 1923. Krey, August C. The First Crusade: The accounts of Eye-Witnesses and Participants.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Princeton University Press. 1921 Mayer, Hans Eberhard. The Crusades: Second Edition. Oxford University Press. 1965 Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia 2004.

Ethical codes and Critical thinking Essay

The issues involving Ethics vs Critical thinking has been a popular topic among researchers for many years. In depth analysis of Ethics vs Critical thinking can be an enriching experience. While it has been acknowledged that it has an important part to play in the development of man, its influence on western cinema has not been given proper recognition. Inevitably Ethics vs Critical thinking is often misunderstood by the easily lead, whom I can say no more about due to legal restrictions. Complex though it is I shall now attempt to provide an exaustive report on Ethics vs Critical thinking and its numerous ‘industries’. There is cultural and institutional interdependence between members of any community. When Thucictholous said ‘people only know one thing’ [1] he shead new light on Ethics vs Critical thinking, allowing man to take it by the hand and understand its momentum. More a melody to societies dysfunctions than a parody of the self, Ethics vs Critical thinking bravely illustrates what we are most afraid of, what we all know deep down in our hearts. Some analysts have been tempted to disregard Ethics vs Critical thinking. I haven’t. Clearly it promotes higher individualism and obeyence of instinct. As soon as a child meets Ethics vs Critical thinking they are changed. Increasingly economic growth and innovation are being attributed to Ethics vs Critical thinking. Of course, Ethics vs Critical thinking fits perfectly into the Lead-a-Duck-to-Water model. For those of you unfamiliar with this model it is derived from the Three-Amigos model but with greater emphasis on the outlying gross national product. When displayed this way it becomes very clear that Ethics vs Critical thinking is of great importance. My personal view is that the cost of living world wide are driven entirely by Ethics vs Critical thinking. Many analysts fear a subsequent depression. It is always enlightening to consider the words of the uncompromising Kuuipo H. Amster ‘Political  idealists must ideally deal, for I daily list my ideals politically.’ This quotation leads me to suspect that he was not unaccustomed to Ethics vs Critical thinking. It speaks volumes. If Ethics vs Critical thinking be the food of politics, play on. One thing’s certain. The Human species liberally desires Ethics vs Critical thinking, and what’s more human than politics? What can we conclude? Well, Ethics vs Critical thinking parades along man’s streets and man waves back. It enriches, ‘literally’ plants seeds for harvest, and always chips in.

The Effects Of Juveniles Being Tried As Adults Essay

Juveniles in Jeopardy The Effects of Juveniles Being Tried as Adults Crime and punishment seems to be the hot topic in modern society. People from different age ranges go to different levels of prison, depending on what they have done. Sometime juveniles are tried and sent to prisons suited for adult crimes if it’s serious enough. Should we tried juveniles as adults if the criminal act is severe enough? What impact does it have on the juveniles? Would juveniles being tried as adults than being tried as juveniles yield a better outcome? Is there a benefit from juveniles being tried as adults? 48% offenders risk to continuing offenses (Ryan, Joseph P.; Abrams, Laura S.; Huang, Hui, 2014). When you go to jail you have a fifty-fifty chance of getting arrested and going through the cycle again. The risk increases by over two times for juveniles (Ryan, Joseph P.; Abrams, Laura S.; Huang, Hui, 2014). If you’re a teen and you get committed for a crime, you are more likely to do it again, than not. Controversy arose in 1998, about the definition of who was considered as a minor or an adult or what the average appropriate behavior was (Brown, 1998). People back then weren’t sure the age of accountability was which raised uncertainty. The crime data at the time showed that juvenile crime increased 70% from 1986 (Brown, 1998). U.S citizens were bombarded by this increase in crime and would have led to hysteria. Crime had risen to its peak in U.S. history, which concerned U.S. citizensShow MoreRelatedFavor Of Abolishing Juvenile Court1061 Words   |  5 Pagesabolishing juvenile court claim that all crimes should be treated the same and children are no exception. They also claim that because a punishment is supposed to fit the crime teenagers who have committed high-level crimes deserve to be tried as adults. Another popular claim is that the adult court system lowers juvenile recidivism. 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This criminal act may be punished by many different means, designed specifically to deal with those who are under the statutory age of majority, which is the threshold of adulthood in law. However, many people argue that the severity of the juvenile prosecution system isnt high enough to order proper punishment. Therefore, juvenile offenders should be tried under adult laws.Read MoreJuveniles Treated Like Adults Essays1330 Words   |  6 Pagesthink of is to treat juveniles like adults. They have just as much responsibility and knowledge of their actions just as adults do, so they deserve the same punishment if they commit the same crime. Believe it or not, teens commit the same level of crimes that adults commit. Crimes will get even worse in the future if nothing is strictly done about the unnecessary violent actions. An idea to prevent the crimes from continuing is to punish juveniles and adults eq ually. Juvenile punishments do not provideRead MoreCriminal Crime : A Crime, Assault, Burglary, And Assault1476 Words   |  6 Pagesage of 18. Property crime is also high in numbers for children age 15 and under. Although juveniles arrested for violent crimes have decreased from 2013 to 2014 by 3.8 percent, these crimes are still being committed (Uniform Crime Report, 2014). It is of society’s declaration that any individual who perpetrates a felony crime needs to be arraigned the same way, consequently that minors must be indicted as adults. What is left unsaid is that these same minors have certain reasons as to why they act in