Modernism: Characteristics in Time
Shaped by the horrors from the two gruesome World Wars and the drastic societal change brought by the rapid industrialization of urban centers, Modernism marked a period of loss of faith in God, government and human goodness. This shift from the traditional ways of viewing the world shattered the illusion that acting virtuously brought about good. In T. S. Eliot’s poem, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, the main character, Prufrock, internalizes his insecurity, loneliness, and pessimism through his monologue. Although more than a century has passed since the birth of Modernism, the characteristics displayed by the 20th century Prufrock can still be widely observed among the 21st century men of today in …show more content…
The feeling of being alone but also surrounded by an overwhelming amount of uncaring stranger only intensify the feeling of loneliness. Furthermore, loneliness “in today’s self-obsessed climate is seen as a negative and embarrassing condition” which suppresses this societal problem that everyone experiences even more (Killeen). Prufrock expresses his frustration in the poem by wishing he had been “a pair of ragged claws scuttling across the floors of silent seas” (73-74). In other words, Prufrock sees himself as old and worn out, accompanied by his bone-revealing and dying reflection, and wishes to be somewhere that is deserted to silent the reminders of companionship. Glimpse of loneliness can be seen in today’s men from the student who is searching for a group to be part of, the sweating face of a naive gym member who hopes physical appearance can improve his relations, and the eyes of someone glued to their smartphone because nowhere else besides the internet gives him acceptance and support. Although men today have the luxury to more advanced technology and connectivity to the world, loneliness is still a reoccurring feeling that both Prufrock and the 21st Century men battle and suppress every
Shaped by the horrors from the two gruesome World Wars and the drastic societal change brought by the rapid industrialization of urban centers, Modernism marked a period of loss of faith in God, government and human goodness. This shift from the traditional ways of viewing the world shattered the illusion that acting virtuously brought about good. In T. S. Eliot’s poem, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, the main character, Prufrock, internalizes his insecurity, loneliness, and pessimism through his monologue. Although more than a century has passed since the birth of Modernism, the characteristics displayed by the 20th century Prufrock can still be widely observed among the 21st century men of today in …show more content…
The feeling of being alone but also surrounded by an overwhelming amount of uncaring stranger only intensify the feeling of loneliness. Furthermore, loneliness “in today’s self-obsessed climate is seen as a negative and embarrassing condition” which suppresses this societal problem that everyone experiences even more (Killeen). Prufrock expresses his frustration in the poem by wishing he had been “a pair of ragged claws scuttling across the floors of silent seas” (73-74). In other words, Prufrock sees himself as old and worn out, accompanied by his bone-revealing and dying reflection, and wishes to be somewhere that is deserted to silent the reminders of companionship. Glimpse of loneliness can be seen in today’s men from the student who is searching for a group to be part of, the sweating face of a naive gym member who hopes physical appearance can improve his relations, and the eyes of someone glued to their smartphone because nowhere else besides the internet gives him acceptance and support. Although men today have the luxury to more advanced technology and connectivity to the world, loneliness is still a reoccurring feeling that both Prufrock and the 21st Century men battle and suppress every