Ultimately, as his dialogue continues, it becomes clear that Prufrock is afraid. He is afraid of growing old, of ending up alone, and of being ridiculous and a fool because he did not to back to the woman he loved and make the relationship right. Eliot writes, "At times, indeed, almost ridiculous -- / Almost, at times, the Fool" (Eliot 118-119). Prufrock then is a sad and lonely character who is sympathetic to the reader because he is so pathetic and hopeless.

In conclusion, this poem is not a "love song" at all, it is the story of a lonely, middle-aged man who regrets the choices he has made in life and sees no way to reconcile them. He is afraid he will die alone and unloved, and that is probably the truth. He is sad because he is clearly so unhappy, but he is also pathetic because he will...
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