The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock - One Line Analysis

"We have lingered in the chambers of the sea 
By sea-girls wreathed in seaweed red and brown 
Till human voices wake us, and we drown." (Line 129-131)


In "The Love Song of  J. Alfred Prufrock," a modern poem by T.S. Eliot, the insecurities of a man are exposed to the reader. The author uses such diction in which he can create imaginable circumstances, "We have lingered in the chambers of the sea By sea-girls wreathed in seaweed red and brown Till human voices wake us, and we drown." (Line 129-131). Through this fantasy-like vision of mermaids and the sea, Eliot is allowing the reader to identify with Prufrock's emotions. The feeling of needing to be in a different, mythical world for the comfort of oneself is explored through the diction employed. Describing his presence in "chambers of the sea" gives the reader a sense of his desire to hide his insecurities due to others judging him. Prufrock seems to remain peaceful as himself in another world. The "sea-girls" embody the desirous vision of an interaction with women. The mention of the girls demonstrates Prufrock's comfort around females in a fantastic scenario. The narrator's connection between "human voices" and drowning is further explicatory of his inferior feelings toward society. Prufrock's ease in another world is suddenly destroyed as he brings the negativity of human voice into the poem. The presence of human judgement is almost degrading to his personality. The drowning can be associated with his feeling of constantly being judged by those around him, while also insinuating that  in the alternate universe, he was more likely to float in the sea, free of insecurities.  Finally, the author's choice to use the pronouns "us" and "we" rather than "I" gives the reader a feeling of really getting into Prufrock's mind as he experiences social abnormality. We feel as though Prufrock has integrated the reader into his fantasy; and somewhere inside, we open ourselves to the reality that is the selectivity of society.