Final answer:
T.S. Eliot's 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' explores themes of futility and ennui, diverging from typical love song themes. Examples like measuring 'life with coffee spoons' and Prufrock's hesitations ('And should I then presume?') underscore his sense of a meaningless existence. The poem portrays the protagonist's psychological struggle rather than romantic love.
Step-by-step explanation:
Futility and ennui are central themes to T.S. Eliot's 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.' The poem diverges significantly from typical romantic or adulatory themes found in conventional love songs. Instead of expressions of love or adoration, Eliot's poem explores the inner turmoil and existential dread of the protagonist, Prufrock. The poem is replete with examples that express a profound sense of futility.
For instance, Prufrock says, 'I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.' This line conveys a mundane, almost trivial existence devoid of meaning or grandeur, a key aspect of ennui. Additionally, Prufrock's continuous questions, 'And should I then presume? And how should I begin?' echo his indecision and the pointlessness of action he perceives in the social dance around him.
The poem's opening epigraph from Dante signals that Prufrock's revelations are deeply personal and perhaps will not be fully understood by the external world, further emphasizing the isolation and futility of his existence. Overall, Eliot's work represents a departure from the traditional love song and instead paints a portrait of a man's psychological landscape marked by impotence and despair.