Student Question
Why is the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" considered mock-heroic?
Quick answer:
The poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" is considered mock-heroic due to its satirical tone and use of exaggerated metaphors and similes. T.S. Eliot employs these elements to humorously critique those who fancy themselves as writers but lack true skill. The poem's opening compares the evening to a patient on an operating table, setting a non-romantic tone and encouraging readers not to take the work too seriously, enhancing its enjoyment.
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is considered to be mock heroic because it is, in general, a satirical piece. T.S. Eliot, a skilled poet, uses tortured metaphors and similes throughout the poem to poke fun at those who fancy themselves writers, yet have little skill at the craft. The opening lines of the poem compare the evening to a patient on an operating table; despite the poem’s title, this is hardly a romantic comparison, but it sets the tone nicely for the reader. Once we know not to take the work too seriously, we can enjoy it all the more.
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