Question

Why might Prufrock compare a sunset to an anesthetized hospital patient awaiting an operation?

a) To illustrate the beauty of nature
b) To evoke a sense of tranquility
c) To convey a sense of lifelessness or stagnation
d) To demonstrate the similarity between two diverse experiences

Answer 1

Prufrock likely compares a sunset to an anesthetized patient awaiting an operation to convey a sense of lifelessness or stagnation. This metaphor aligns with themes of dreariness and emotional stasis present in the text.

Step-by-step explanation:

The comparison of a sunset to an anesthetized patient waiting for an operation is likely meant to convey a sense of lifelessness or stagnation (c). This metaphor suggests a lack of movement and a sense of being suspended in time, much like a patient under anesthesia. Such imagery is often employed to evoke a particular emotional atmosphere; it's not about the beauty of nature or tranquility, nor is it to demonstrate the similarity between two diverse experiences. Instead, the image serves to depict a scene that is lifeless and waiting, which could mirror the inner state of the character perceiving it.

In the given text, there's a recurring theme of desolation and dreariness, as with the 'mere house' and 'vacant eye-like windows'. This feeling is akin to the 'utter depression of soul' compared to the 'after-dream of the reveller upon opium'. These descriptions underscore a profound sense of desolation and emotional stasis. Such a metaphor fits within this context, as the sunset represents the end of a day but in a manner that feels bereft of vitality or change.