Random Denver Fact: Many of the streets in Denver are named after authors and poets. One such example would be Eliot Street, which of course would be after T.S. Eliot- Nobel Prize winner for Literature, and the inspiration for this oh so enlightening blog post tonight. Just kidding...but only about the enlightening part.
Tonight in my World Literature class, we discussed T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" one of Eliot's most celebrated poems- a dramatic monologue that incorporates a "stream of consciousness" effect. You, of course, should read it here http://www.bartleby.com/198/1.html before continuing.
Though it is somewhat of a complex poem to figure out on your own and keep up with the stream of consciousness of the speaker, this poem is, in my opinion, very thought-provoking, and really quite good. Interesting tidbit- Eliot was often frustrated with the inability of words to express his true emotions. Anyway, in a nutshell, the poem shows the thoughts of Prufrock, who has no confidence in himself, and finds himself existing in two realities- his lonely existence filled with self doubt, contrasted by the reality he dreams of, though life continually calls him back to the former.
I think the reason I enjoyed this poem so much is because J. Alfred Prufrock represents what is perhaps my biggest fear in life. Prufrock is terrified of life, so much so that he analyzes and agonizes every decision he comes to, trying so hard to work up the courage to live out his dreams, but always rationalizing himself out of it. If I get started on this poem, it might turn into a small term paper, so I won't go into it too much, but I do highly recommend that you read this poem and try to connect with Prufrock. How often do we come so close to expressing our inner thoughts and come so close to putting ourselves on the line with people that we don't know, but then talk ourselves out of it only to miss that opportunity? Prufrock mentions that he has measured his life out in coffee spoons. The thought of that is to me incredibly scary; what sort of way of life is that- to have life, but to never do anything with it? I'm reminded of the parable of the servants who were each given talents by their master and the servant who only buried his talent. It has become one of my personal beliefs, though it took me awhile to learn, that God's plans are so much bigger than our plans. What God has given us as gifts, are usually things that he equips us with in order to serve Him and in unexpected ways. Where God is calling us to go is for a reason, and he prepares us to serve according to his will.
It is my prayer for myself, and for all of us, that we do not let our own inhibitions and fear get in the way of trusting in His perfect plan.
Spanish Lesson of the Day:
Crezco Viejo...Crezco Viejo...
Usare los fondos de mis pantalones rodados
"I grow old...I grow old...
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled"
-from The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot
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