Prufrock Quiz

1. "Time to turn back and descend the stair,With a bald spot in the middle of my hair —(They will say: 'How his hair is growing thin!')"In this passage, J. Alfred Prufrock is self-conscious about

His athletic ability.

Owning a cat.

His age.

His outfit.

In this passage, J. Alfred Prufrock is self-conscious about his age. This is evident from the line "With a bald spot in the middle of my hair" which suggests that he is experiencing hair loss, a common sign of aging. Additionally, Prufrock anticipates what others might say about his hair thinning, indicating his concern about how he is perceived due to his age.

Explanation

In this passage, J. Alfred Prufrock is self-conscious about his age. This is evident from the line "With a bald spot in the middle of my hair" which suggests that he is experiencing hair loss, a common sign of aging. Additionally, Prufrock anticipates what others might say about his hair thinning, indicating his concern about how he is perceived due to his age.

2. "The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes"This metaphor compares the yellow fog to

A cat.

A snake.

A patient etherized upon a table.

An elderly gentleman.

The metaphor compares the yellow fog to a cat. The use of the words "rubbing its back" and "rubbing its muzzle" suggests a sense of familiarity and playfulness, which are often associated with cats. Additionally, cats are known to be curious and have a tendency to explore their surroundings, just like the yellow fog described in the poem.

Explanation

The metaphor compares the yellow fog to a cat. The use of the words "rubbing its back" and "rubbing its muzzle" suggests a sense of familiarity and playfulness, which are often associated with cats. Additionally, cats are known to be curious and have a tendency to explore their surroundings, just like the yellow fog described in the poem.

3. "Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter,I am no prophet — and here's no great matter"This is a biblical allusion to

Moses.

John the Baptist.

Mary Magdalene.

Elijah.

The given quote is a reference to the biblical story of John the Baptist. In the Bible, John the Baptist was beheaded, and his head was brought in on a platter as a result of a request made by Herodias' daughter. The quote suggests that the speaker has also experienced a similar fate, having their head brought in on a platter. Therefore, the correct answer is John the Baptist.

Explanation

The given quote is a reference to the biblical story of John the Baptist. In the Bible, John the Baptist was beheaded, and his head was brought in on a platter as a result of a request made by Herodias' daughter. The quote suggests that the speaker has also experienced a similar fate, having their head brought in on a platter. Therefore, the correct answer is John the Baptist.

4. "Let us go then, you and I,When the evening is spread out against the skyLike a patient etherized upon a table"This passage depicts the evening

As cold and numb.

As filled with hope and expectation.

As angry and hostile.

As a cat.

The passage compares the evening to a patient etherized upon a table, which suggests a sense of coldness and numbness. The use of the word "etherized" implies a state of anesthesia, which further reinforces the idea of a lack of sensation or feeling. Therefore, the correct answer is "as cold and numb."

Explanation

The passage compares the evening to a patient etherized upon a table, which suggests a sense of coldness and numbness. The use of the word "etherized" implies a state of anesthesia, which further reinforces the idea of a lack of sensation or feeling. Therefore, the correct answer is "as cold and numb."

5. "And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin..."What is the image here?

An insect pinned down as a specimen.

A lady's hatpin.

A tie pin.

A note pinned on a bulletin board.

The image described in the given line is that of an insect pinned down as a specimen. The use of the word "formulated" suggests that the subject is being carefully arranged or prepared, which is commonly done when insects are collected and displayed for scientific purposes. The phrase "sprawling on a pin" further reinforces the idea of the insect being immobilized and displayed for observation. This image aligns with the context of the poem, which often explores themes of confinement and objectification.

Explanation

The image described in the given line is that of an insect pinned down as a specimen. The use of the word "formulated" suggests that the subject is being carefully arranged or prepared, which is commonly done when insects are collected and displayed for scientific purposes. The phrase "sprawling on a pin" further reinforces the idea of the insect being immobilized and displayed for observation. This image aligns with the context of the poem, which often explores themes of confinement and objectification.

6. "No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;Am an attendant lord..."What is the best way to describe Prufrock's self image, based on this passage?

He sees himself as a confident warrior.

He sees himself in a role of little significance in the play of life.

He sees himself as someone who was destined to be great, but he never achieved this greatness.

He sees himself as popular and well-liked.

Based on the passage, Prufrock states that he is not Prince Hamlet and not meant to be, but rather an attendant lord. This suggests that he sees himself in a role of little significance in the play of life. He does not view himself as a confident warrior or someone who was destined to be great but never achieved it. There is no indication that he sees himself as popular and well-liked.

Explanation

Based on the passage, Prufrock states that he is not Prince Hamlet and not meant to be, but rather an attendant lord. This suggests that he sees himself in a role of little significance in the play of life. He does not view himself as a confident warrior or someone who was destined to be great but never achieved it. There is no indication that he sees himself as popular and well-liked.

7. "Would it have been worth whileIf one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,And turning toward the window, should say: 'That is not it at all, That is not what I meant, at all.'"This passage shows Prufrock's fear

Of rejection.

Of being misunderstood.

Of women in general.

All of these.

The passage from T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" suggests Prufrock's fear of rejection, as indicated by his hesitation and uncertainty in expressing his thoughts and feelings. It also demonstrates his fear of being misunderstood, as he questions whether his words and gestures convey his true intentions. Additionally, Prufrock's fear extends to women in general, as he grapples with his insecurities and anxieties in their presence. Therefore, the correct answer is that the passage shows Prufrock's fear of rejection, being misunderstood, and women in general.

Explanation

The passage from T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" suggests Prufrock's fear of rejection, as indicated by his hesitation and uncertainty in expressing his thoughts and feelings. It also demonstrates his fear of being misunderstood, as he questions whether his words and gestures convey his true intentions. Additionally, Prufrock's fear extends to women in general, as he grapples with his insecurities and anxieties in their presence. Therefore, the correct answer is that the passage shows Prufrock's fear of rejection, being misunderstood, and women in general.

8. S'io credesse che mia risposta fosse A persona che mai tornasse al mondo, Questa fiamma staria senza piu scosse. Ma percioche giammai di questo fondo Non torno vivo alcun, s'i'odo il vero, Senza tema d'infamia ti rispondo.The above is taken from Dante's Inferno. This is an example of the poet's use of

Establishment of theme.

A relevant quotation.

An allusion.

All of these.

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Explanation

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9. "I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."Prufrock sees women as mermaids. In the context of the entire poem, this tells us he sees women as

Kind and gentle.

Good swimmers.

Dangerous and unobtainable.

All of these.

In the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot, the line "I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each" suggests that Prufrock sees women as dangerous and unobtainable. The image of mermaids, mythical creatures who lure sailors to their deaths, implies that women have a captivating and enchanting allure that can lead to destruction. This aligns with Prufrock's overall fear of rejection and his belief that he is not worthy of romantic relationships. Therefore, the correct answer is dangerous and unobtainable.

Explanation

In the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot, the line "I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each" suggests that Prufrock sees women as dangerous and unobtainable. The image of mermaids, mythical creatures who lure sailors to their deaths, implies that women have a captivating and enchanting allure that can lead to destruction. This aligns with Prufrock's overall fear of rejection and his belief that he is not worthy of romantic relationships. Therefore, the correct answer is dangerous and unobtainable.

10. "In the room the women come and goTalking of Michelangelo."The sudden change in setting takes us

From sawdust restaurants into cheap hotels.

From the city streets into a theatre.

From a pretentious tea party into a pet store.

From the city streets into a pretentious tea party.

The correct answer is "from the city streets into a pretentious tea party." This is because the phrase "In the room the women come and go" suggests a change in location from the city streets to a room where women are present. Additionally, the mention of a tea party implies a pretentious atmosphere, further indicating the change in setting.

Explanation

The correct answer is "from the city streets into a pretentious tea party." This is because the phrase "In the room the women come and go" suggests a change in location from the city streets to a room where women are present. Additionally, the mention of a tea party implies a pretentious atmosphere, further indicating the change in setting.