The Allusions of Alfred J. Prufrock

“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Elliot is filled with many allusions. They help develop parts of the poem by representing the author or Prufrock’s feelings or perspective. These allusions provide the readers with good comparisons and enrich the understanding of the poem’s contents.
The epigraph of the poem is one example of such an allusion. In his epigraph Elliot introduces a literary allusion from Dante’s poem “Inferno.” In this allusion a man condemned to hell states his feelings. He states that because he is in hell and knows he shall never escape from hell he is free to answer “without fear of infamy.” This allusion helps to signify Prufrock’s personal hell. Prufrock’s hell consists of his doubts and fears when it relates to expressing his emotions outwardly towards a woman. Prufrock wants the companionship and love of a woman but cannot muster up the courage to begin a relationship with one. He is afraid of being rejected...