Prufrock and Other Observations (1917) -The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Summary

The narrator, J. Alfred Prufrock, embarks on a journey through city streets with a companion. He thinks of idle talk and restless lives. He thinks of how he must prepare his face to meet people, alluding to the fact that he hides his true self. He senses his dreams require revision to conform to the reality of his life. As he walks, he feels he played it safe too often. The opinions of others seem to matter to him as he ponders how people will remark on his thinning hair and weight loss. Prufrock wonders if he should do anything that will upset others. He does not want to upset the status quo.

To Prufrock, life flows swiftly. He sees how people judge...