Comment
on the use of irony in ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’.
Irony is a
literary device or method of numerous or sarcastic expression in which the
intended meaning of the words used is the direct opposite of their usual sense.
The main focus of irony is contrast between what is expressed and what is
implied.
The
very title ‘The love song of J. Alfred prufrock’ is ironical. The title
suggests that the poem should be a love song addressed by the lover to his
beloved, and his heart must be bubbling with effusions of love. But in reality
there is no expression of love in the poem. The lover does not even have the
courage to meet the lady face to face and express his love to her. In the words
of Matthiessen, The point of calling the poem a love song lies in the irony
that it will never be song: that Prufrock will never dare to voice what he
feels.
Irony
has also been used as a device of contrast between the serious and
trivial, the grand and the prosaic. The hypocrisy of modern society is
ironically exposed. The reference to ‘works and days of hand ‘, brings
out an ironical contrast between the hard life of a farmer and Prufrock’s life
of inactivity. There is also an ironic mingling of the grandiose with the trivial
in the manner of Laforge, in the following line: I have measured my life with
coffee spoons. Prufrock’s constant
use of the pompons and grandiloquent language for the trivial is also ironical.
Prufrock considers the trivial matter, i.e., the proposal of marriage, an over
whelming question, which is likely to disturb the universe.
In
the poem, the important things are placed side by side with the trivial. There
is a mingling of the high and the low. Look at the sharp contrast between the
first and the last line – Let us go then you and I is the very
antithesis of the last line – Till human voices wake us and we drown. Similarly
what starts as very important value is brought down to the level of the mean
and the trivial as for example- he throws
into relief the futility and barrenness of urban life .
The
simple decoration of proposal is compared to a sort of earthquake, disturbing
the universe. Similarly, the decoration of his love is as difficult as
squeezing the universe into a ball. The matter of a proposal is as difficult as
to murder and create. The frivolity of making this important decision is
revealed in the lover’s assertion that he can revise his decision in a minute.
As the poet says in this poem:
‘’For I have known them all already, known
them all ‘’
There is another bit of irony in his
assumption that the beloved might reject him. She might deny any love or
affection for him; she may even cover her having a soft corner for him with a
veneer of politeness and courtesy. These anticipations are only excuses for his
delay and inaction. Moreover, though he is old he wears the latest fashioned
clothes in order to hide age and to cover up his baldness. There is an implied
irony in what he wishes to appear physically.........................................................................................................................
Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.