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| I grow old . . . I grow old . . . I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me. I have seen them riding seaward on the waves Combing the white hair of the waves blown back When the wind blows the water white and black. We have lingered in the chambers of the sea By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown Till human voices wake us, and we drown. |
| I immediately thought of Winslow Homer when I read this part of the poem. The imagery of the sea, an man becoming older, and solitude are present in both works. And to me, this painting exemplifies everything present in the latter half of the poem. The theme of lonliness is concurrent within the entire poem, but the end lends to the feeling of totally solitude. What's worse than drowning in the sea...all alone save for your thoughts? To me, from the beginning Prufrock is struggling to stay in his "boat," fighting the waves (like the man in the painting). Also, the picture portrays a type of ironic beauty. First, how often do you idealize an old fisherman in an old boat? Never. Second, how often do you portray the sea truthfully: something ominous and beautiful? Never. This is, to me, just like the poem. Eliot put in the poem the beauty of prose and imagery, (like "In the room the women come and go/Talking of Michelangelo.") and the horror of indecision and being completely alone and at the mercy of the world. If you wish to know more about this great American artist Winslow Homer you can go here. |