Practice in Identifying and Correcting Verb Tense Errors

This proofreading exercise will give you practice in identifying and correcting verb tense errors. Before attempting the exercise, you may find it useful to review our pages on regular verbs and irregular verbs. Instructions The following passage contains 10 errors in verb tense. The first paragraph has no errors, but each of the remaining paragraphs contains at least one faulty verb form. Identify and correct these errors. When youre done, compare your answers with the key below. The Worst Tourist The least successful tourist on record is Mr. Nicholas Scotti of San Francisco. In 1977 he flew from America to his native Italy to visit relatives. En route, the plane made a one-hour fuel stop at Kennedy Airport. Thinking that he has arrived, Mr. Scotti got out and spends two days in New York believing he was in Rome. When his nephews are not there to meet him, Mr. Scotti assumes they had been delayed in the heavy Roman traffic mentioned in their letters. While tracking down their address, the great traveller could not help noticing that modernization had brushed aside most, if not all, of the ancient city’s landmarks. He also noticed that many people speak English with a distinct American accent. However, he just assumed that Americans were everywhere. Furthermore, he assumed it was for their benefit that so many street signs were written in English. Mr. Scotti spoke very little English himself and next ask a policeman (in Italian) the way to the bus depot. As chance would have it, the policeman came from Naples and replies fluently in the same tongue. After twelve hours traveling round on a bus, the driver handed him over to a second policeman. There followed a brief argument in which Mr. Scotti expresses amazement at the Rome police force employing someone who did not speak his own language. Even when told at last that he was in New York, Mr. Scotti refuses to believe it. He was return to the airport in a police car and sent back to California.–Adapted from Stephens Piles Book of Heroic Failures, 1979) Answers The least successful tourist on record is Mr. Nicholas Scotti of San Francisco. In 1977 he flew from America to his native Italy to visit relatives. En route, the plane made a one-hour fuel stop at Kennedy Airport. Thinking that he had arrived, Mr. Scotti got out and spent two days in New York believing he was in Rome. When his nephews were not there to meet him, Mr. Scotti assumed they had been delayed in the heavy Roman traffic mentioned in their letters. While tracking down their address, the great traveler could not help noticing that modernization had brushed aside most, if not all, of the ancient city’s landmarks. He also noticed that many people spoke English with a distinct American accent. However, he just assumed that Americans were everywhere. Furthermore, he assumed it was for their benefit that so many street signs were written in English. Mr. Scotti spoke very little English himself and next asked a policeman (in Italian) the way to the bus depot. As chance would have it, the policeman came from Naples and replied fluently in the same tongue. After twelve hours traveling round on a bus, the driver handed him over to a second policeman. There followed a brief argument in which Mr. Scotti expressed amazement at the Rome police force employing someone who did not speak his own language. Even when told at last that he was in New York, Mr. Scotti refused to believe it. He was returned to the airport in a police car and sent back to California.–Adapted from Stephens Piles Book of Heroic Failures, 1979

The American Culture Is Rich - 811 Words

American Culture The American Culture is rich, complex, and unique. Our culture, which is an important component of the nations identity, emerged from short, rapid European invasion of the Americas, sparsely settled by diverse native peoples. The African’s arrival added yet another layer of unique cultural complexity to the territories named the New World. These three cultures, European, Indian, and African were very different and yet a lot alike. Their ways of life were greatly diverse although they did share some similarities. It is a combination of these differences and similarities being brought together that have become part of the foundation for the cultivation of a new culture. With so many different foreign cultures being†¦show more content†¦The United States government is a secular body; most people call this separation of church and state. This prevents against any religious discrimination in law, and, also, prevents against having an official religion. The american cultur e focuses greatly on education, both public and private. This is represented in the ninety-eight percent literacy rate in the United States. School attendance is mandatory at the elementary, middle, and high school ages. Students normally start kindergarden when they are five years old and finish their senior year of high school when they are eighteen years old. Students have the choice of going to a public school, private school, or being home-schooled. After graduating from high school, most students go on to a college or university. Most students enroll in college for four years and graduate around the age twenty-two. After they earn their Bachelors degree, they have the option of continuing their studies in order to earn a Masters degree or a Ph. D. Finally, the United States is said to be a melting pot of many diverse cultures. 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Tropical Rain Forest Essay Example For Students

Tropical Rain Forest Essay In this term paper, I will explain the great importance of the tropical Rainforestsaround the world and discuss the effects of the tragedy of rainforest destruction and theeffect that it is having on the earth. I will write on some specific plants and animals thatcall the tropical rain forests their home; there are many different types of rainforest speciesand their uniqueness from the rest of the world is amazing. I will also touch on the effortsbeing made to help curb the rate of rainforestdestruction and the peoples of the rainforest. Rain forests are located near the equator in the tropics and are most noted for theirabundance of vegetatin and extreme diversity. Classified by climate and location, all rainforetsts are dominated by various sized trees so clustered that different layers havedeveloped in the depths of the jungles. The upper canopy, containing the tallest treesranging from 100-150 feet, receives the most light. Beneath the upper canopy are 1-3layers of vegetation called the canopy. Here the plants are so condensed that so little lightreaches past it, no allowing the final layer, the understory, to have a nice amount ofsunlight. Only a handful of rays it the floor, causing little vegetation to grow. Due to climate and location, mother nature has created several rain forest classifieddifferently due to unsimillar characteristics. The Equatorial rain forest is located in warm,we areas with low altitude, near the equator. Under primary influence of moisture, anaverage annual rainfall of 125 inches and constant temperatures of about 87 degreestogether make such a diverse and fragile ecosystem (Encarta). Tropical rain forests extended 10 degrees latitude from the equator are calledsubtropical rainforests. Most commonly found in Central America, West Indies, andcoastal Bazil, the changes in temperature and season switches give a less diverse forestcompared to the Equatorial rain forests (Encarta)Some rainforests shouldnt be called rainforests at all. Found at low elevations andeven farther away from the equator, the Monsoon rain forest barely gets any precipiation,51 inches annually. Droughted by a 4-5 month dry season, pant life is limited. With amore open canopy, a dense under growth has grown on the forest floor. Because of thedry season and little rain fall, there is a high flammability rate. Tropical Rainforests are home to many of the strangest looking and mostbeautiful, largest and smallest, most dangerous and least frightening, loudest and quietestanimals on earth. There are many types of animals that make their homes in the rainforestsome of them include: jaguars, toucans, pa rrots, gorillas, and tarantulas. Dont besurprised if you see an antelope the size of a rabbitt either (Rain forest Action Network). In the rain forest, all species of plants and animals work together to create and maintainsuch diversity. There are so many fascinating animals in tropical rainforest that millionshave not even identified yet. In fact, about half of the worlds species have not even beenidentified yet. But sadly, an average of 35 species of rainforest animals are becomingextinct every day(rain-tree.com). So many species of animals live in the rainforest than any other parts of the worldbecause rainforests are believed to be the oldest ecosystem on earth. Some forests insoutheast Asia have been around for at least 100 million years, ever since the dinosaurshave roamed the earth. During the ice ages, which occurred about 10,000 years ago, thefrozen areas of the North and South Poles covered much of the earth, causing hugenumbers of extinctions, but the great freeze did not reach many tropical rainforests. Therefore, these plants and animals could continue to evolve, developing into the mostdiverse and complex ecosystems on earth. The nearly perfect conditions for life also helpcontribute to the great number of species. With temperatures constant at about 75-80degrees Fahrenheit the whole year, the animals dont have to worry about freezing duringthe cold winters or finding hot shade in the summers (Encarta). They rarely have to searchfor water, because rain falls almost every day in tropical rainforests. Some rainforest species have populations that number in the millions. Otherspecies consist of only a few dozen individuals. Living in limited areas, most of thesespecies are found nowhere else on earth. For example, the maues marmoset, a species ofmonkey, wasnt discovered until recently. Its entire tiny population lives within a fewsquare miles in the Amazon rainforest. This species of monkey is so small that it could fitinto a persons hand! (Rain Forest Action Network) In a rainforest, it is difficult to seemany things other than the millions of insects creeping and crawling around in every layerof the forest. Scientists estimate that there are more than 50 million different species ofinvertebrates living in rainforests. A biologist researching the rainforest found 50 differentspeciesof ant on a single tree in Peru! A few hours of crawling in a rainforest wouldproduce several insects unknown to science. The same scientist, Al Gentry, also countingtree and liana species, observed an extravagant 2.5 acres in the Amazon basin rain forestwith an amazing 283 species of trees, larger than 4 inches in diameter. In the same plot,Gentry counted a wopping 580 trees between those characterized above. Globally, all rainforests, no matter how ?low quality? contain an average of 185 species of trees in 2.5acres (Emmons, p2). Compared to the richest woodland areas of the United States, there are only about20 speceies of trees with the same qualities. However, most temperate forests are muchpoorer than this (Emmons, p2). The constant search for food , water, sunlight and space is a 24-hour pushing andshoving match. With this fierce competition, it is amazing that that so many species ofanimals can all live together. But this is actually the cause of the huge number of thedifferent species. The main secret lies in the ability of many animals to adapt to eating aspecific plant or animal, which few other species are able to eat. An example of suchadaptations would be the big beaks of the toucans and parrots. Their beaks give them agreat advantage over other birds with smaller beaks. The fruits and nuts from many treeshave evolved with a tough shell to protect them from predators. In turn toucans andparrots developed large, strong beaks, which serves as a nutcracker and provides themwith many tasty meals. Photosynthesis EssayFor instance, plantains (a type of banana) are a major food source for the Yanonami fromthe Amazon while the Penan of Borneo, Southeast Asia, depend on the sago palm (a typeof palm tree) for food and other uses. All Indigenous people share their strong ties to theland. Because the rainforest is so important for their culture, they want to take care of it. They want to live what is called a sustainable existence, meaning they use the land withoutdoing harm to the plants and animals that also call the rainforest their home. As a wiseIndigenous man once said, ?The earth is our historian, our educator, the provider of food,medicine, clothing and protection. She is the mother of our races.? Indigenous peoples have been losing their lives and the land they live on ever sinceEuropeans began colonizing 500 years ago. Most of them died from common Europeandiseases which made Indigenous people very sick because they had never had thesediseases before. A disease such as the flu could possibly kill an indigenous person becausehe/she has not been exposed to this disease before. Many Indigenous groups have alsobeen killed by settlers wanting their land, or put to work as slaves to harvest the resourcesof the forest. Others were converts to Christianity by missionaries, who forced them tolive like Europeans and give up their cultural traditions. Sin ce we (the US and other countries) have been working with theIndigenous People and other rainforest protection agencies, we have learned many thingsabout the forest, including its ecology, medicinal plants, food and other products. It hasalso showed us how crucial it is for the Indigenous people of the rainforest to continuetheir daily and traditional activities because of their importance in the cycle if the rainforest(congo-online.com). One Indigenous man is leading the fight to preserve is home in the Amazonrainforest. Medicine man Davi Kopenawa Yanomami cures his brothers with the powerand spirit provided to him by a giant anaconda spirit that lives in the Amazon basin. Usinghallucinagenic powders to contact the spirit world, Davi, leader of the Yanomami Indians,is taking a modern approach to his quest. Davi is a prophet that sees his people, land andrain forest gods being swept towards exticntion. After tense pressure from Davi andfriends, the Brazillian government set aside 36,000 square miles for the Yanomamihomeland (McGirk, 83). Scientists have come to the conclusion the rain forests are potentially more valubleon a long-term basis. If left intact, an even larger standing biomass can be created. Todays biodiversity of the rain forest has been conditioned independent of soil conditionsby recycled nutrients. Rain forests properly managed and cared for are able to providemass amounts of quality timber and stablalize the local climate, as well as many otherbeneficial good things. Medicinal products already available from the rain forest includediosgenin, an ingredient in contrasepitive pills; resperine, treating cardiac problems; andcurare, used in heart and lung surgery. If the rain forest is left alone and allowed toevolve, more studies needed can be conducted for future benefits in the medical field aswell as consumer products. One company, Merck, specializing in medicinal drugs, has been duing its part tohelp rainforests through biological prospecting. Merck has local technicians collectsamples to possibly u ncover a new medicine. If a breakthrough is found, Costa Rica willshare in the profits, also the local people will earn a living by stuying the rain forest insteadof destroying it (Kowalski, 2). The large number of natural disasters, cyclones, lighting fires, etc., are just aminimal effect compared to human activity. Logging, road construction, mining, andcattle farming have led the attack on the forests (Encarta) The method of slash and burn iscommonly used, where small areas of land are used. Many areas were cleared for bananaand coffee growing or pasture. However, due to the lack of nutrients in the soil, its valuedepleted and were abandoned. The time it takes for the area to regrow is insane to eventhink about, because the soil needs decaying plant matter to support the lush vegetataion. The destruction of rainforests affects pollination patterns, migration routes, and food chainlinks(Kowalski, 32). If human impact is affecting these forest like this now, who knowswhat may happen to these brilliant ecosystems. Science Essays

Prufrock in Progress Essay Example

Prufrock in Progress Essay Prufrock in Progress In A Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot, the main character, J. Alfred Prufrock battles with his identification in the world. T. S. Eliot comprises this character with traits that any human being can relate to, like fear and desire, while ironically depicting the character as a monster. This dueling monster lives within Prufrock. His desire to be accepted is bogged down by his unworthy self-esteem because of his lack of human relationships. Prufrock is a relatable character at best, but his self-image ruins his potential of connecting with other people. Some scholars believe that Prufrock is yearning for a long lost lover throughout his love song, but most evidence shows that he is in confliction with himself. Sistani writes Internal Anxieties and Conflicts in The LOVE SONG of J. ALFRED PRUFROCK and states that Prufrock is searching for a female lover in his expression of A Love Song. Sistani believes that J. Alfred is experiencing internal conflict about a love source and the need of comfort through a relationship with another woman. This interpretation poses irony continuously established throughout the poem because Prufrock does not even love himself. We will write a custom essay sample on Prufrock in Progress specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Prufrock in Progress specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Prufrock in Progress specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Sistani explains this insecurity by analyzing, â€Å"The article concludes that the male character’s anxieties and conflicts are all the results of a past unsatisfactory mothering situation during his childhood,† (Sistani 478). This accusation is made from empty evidence that he desires a woman’s affection simply because he did not ever have it. This shows that J. Alfred Prufrock is in a habitual pattern of looking for love in all the wrong places. This interpretation by Sistani suggests that J. Alfred is speaking out in the desire for a loving partner. Sadly, Prufrock’s relationship with his mother was disappointing and unfulfilling, therefore; he longs for someone to fill this place. Unfortunately, his lack of love and acceptance for himself disables him from relating and loving or even accepting others. Prufrock speaks of attending a party in which none of the women are good enough for him. He talks of their skirts hitting the floor and is infatuated by the women, but then ironically changes his viewpoint stating, And I have known the eyes already, known them all- The eyes that fix you in a ormulated phase, And when I am formulated, Sprawling on a pin, When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall, Then how should I begin? (Gwynn 623). Prufrock is explaining how women prevent him from being his true self. How the presence of them makes him feel like an insect being pinned on the wall; examined and preserved for humans to review and criticize. He deems the question of how to begin the expression of self when all women seem to want is a fixed idea of what a man should be, and that is not what J. Alfred is. Sistani evaluates â€Å"As a dependent character with not good enough mothering, Prufrock, like a child, is always willing to attach to an external loved object to achieve support and gratification. This need for attachment, to relate to the desired object is constant in Prufrock,† (Sistani 481). The poem in itself is a projection of how Prufrock views himself in comparison to how the reader or another person would view him. He projects only what he wants to be known, and leaves the rest as mystery. He purposefully reveals only what he is comfortable revealing, which will never lead to a sustainable relationship. Sistani concludes in her article, â€Å"Prufrock, with unresolved internal conflicts and anxieties still dreams of the women to attach to in order to fulfill the need for security and comfort,† (Sistani 481). This analysis believes that Prufrock himself feels he will not be able to fully express himself or be accepted without a female partner to lovingly accept him first. Unfortunately and ironically, the cycle persists because J. Alfred Prufrock does not ever have the epiphany that his entire misery is derived from his lack of confidence and love for himself, not from a lack of an external object or person. On the other hand, Human Voices in Silent Seas: A Reading on Eliot’s Love Song by Videnov uses a psychoanalytic approach to interpret the poem sang by J. Alfred Prufrock. She expands on his internal conflict of worthiness. Throughout the poem, Prufrock battles with the public and private sides of himself, and whether his thoughts and feelings are worthy of expression. Videnov explains this contrast in character by stating, â€Å"Through jarring and easy transitions, Eliot contrasts the privacy of observation, insight, and dream with the social functioning of man, his appraisal by others, and his appraisal of himself as reflected in â€Å"the eyes† (55), thoughts, and words of others. † (Videnov, Valentin A. , 126). Videnov also analyzes the internal and external influences on J. Alfred Prufrock’s psyche. The internal conflict that J. Alfred Prufrock exhibits throughout his love song is evident in his lack of self-confidence that leads to a feeling of disconnection with the human population. On one hand, Prufrock expresses the desire to cultivate a relationship with the external world, or a lover; yet on the other hand, he lets his insecurities define him and refuses to let himself engage in relationships with other people. Videnov explains this by describing Prufrock’s quest, â€Å"a quest for belonging, the examination of which could yield the message of the poem and the ultimately optimistic idea of love, as the title suggests, lurking behind the apparently tragic finale,† (Videnov, Valentin A. , 126). This statement establishes the irony in the desire to fulfill a journey of love, yet the inevitable misery Prufrock lives. The psychoanalytical dynamic of the ego and the true self is brought through in Prufrock’s character. T. S. Eliot repeatedly uses the pronouns, â€Å"you and I,† to describe this relationship of the ego and true self that Prufrock experiences. In the interpretation of Human Voices in Silent Seas: A Reading on Eliot’s Love Song, Videnov declares that these two entities are both representative of J. Alfred Prufrock himself. â€Å"You† represents the public face of Alfred J. Prufrock, the ego; and â€Å"I† represents the true self, the self that wants to be expressed but is prevented by Prufrock’s fear and insecurity. The opposing characters within Prufrock are further extended through the symbols of afternoon and evening. The imagery of afternoon is a representation of the light, the desire to express, and the need for connection. The evening represents a darkness, or comfort in the habitual pattern of the introverted mind and it’s self-destructive thoughts. Prufrock expresses his mental state when he says, ‘the evening sleeps so peacefully. † (Gwynn 624) In saying this, Prufrock is confirming within himself his comfort in the thought pattern of darkness. This leads him to question, â€Å"Would it have been worthwhile? † (Gwynn 625), referring to the desired human connection he wants deep down. He truly believes that expression of the self and what he, as an individual has to say and share, are not going to be acc epted by others. Because of his fear of expression, the singer sings a song of love, but predominately and more ironically, a song of sadness. He has continued his pattern of introversion to such an extreme that he suffers from continual loneliness and disassociation. He proves this dissociation when he ends the poem with an insight of his fantasy world of mermaids where he retreats, when he is lonely. He looks upon the beautiful creatures in awe of their unifying world; yet won’t even allow himself to be happy in his fantasy. He states this saying, â€Å"I do not think that they will sing to me,† (Gwynn 625). This prevents him from dreaming himself to a healthy and loving relationship with himself, or anyone else. The lines â€Å"let us go† (Gwynn 622) used repeatedly are incredibly significant in this poem. Us† being the internal representation of the two conflicting sides that exist within Prufrock, as he yearns for release of this horrible cycle. What J. Alfred Prufrock does not understand is that every individual goes through this experience of questioning self worth. The underlying ironic theme of this poem is the relation of the reader to Prufrock himself. This is a cry of the main character to emerge from the inn er seclusion that he feels – a bonding of the afternoon and evening, the light and dark, inner and outer; a battle for the merging of duality to become a union. In â€Å"an overwhelming question† in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by Xue, the main question that J. Alfred Prufrock is consistently in conflict with is whether or not to reveal his true self. Prufrock’s dueling character is established through the language of the poem. The internal conflict of Prufrock is addressed through repetitive language. â€Å"Prufrock is trying to express some deeper philosophical insight or disillusionment with society, but fears rejection. † (Xue 79). This fear causes his misery. Prufrock’s character is dominated by his uncertainty. The repetition of the lines, â€Å"there will be time,† (Gwynn 622) pose irony in the poem. Prufrock is hopeful that he will be able to truly open up to the world in time, yet currently; he is perpetuating his cycle of loneliness by assuming that these desires will naturally unfold without regarded effort. Xue states this in saying, â€Å"The phrase ‘There will be time,’ repeated five times between lines 23 and 36, represents his hesitation and delay, in order to conceal his inner anxiety to the world,† (Xue 80). Essentially, Prufrock is only happy when he is alone with his thoughts because there are no external influences to judge him, yet this is also his cause of misery. Irony is also addressed in the â€Å"you and I† (Gwynn 621) characterization of Prufrock. Xue states the psychoanalytical interpretation of these pronouns, â€Å"In the poem, Prufrock is divided in two selves. One is persuading Prufrock to ask the ‘overwhelming question’, while the other is trying to prevent it,† (Xue 82). Prufrock’s soul really desires is the opposite of what it endures. At the root of his inability to express is his insecurity. Prufrock asks, â€Å"Do I dare Disturb the Universe? † (Gywnn 623) which is direct evidence that Prufrock has serious lack of self-confidence. J. Alfred directly articulates his anxiety about interaction by describing his unappealing physical attributes. He quivers in the thought, â€Å"With a bald spot in the middle of my hair- ‘They will say: ‘How his hair is growing thin! ’† (Gwynn 623). This statement is directly in connection with Prufrock’s physical insecurity, as well as his emotional insecurity because of his self-image. He uses this as an excuse for his anti-social behavior. He manifests this negative expression of self by bolding stating that if he were to share with another he would, â€Å"Die with a dying fall,† (Gywnn 623). This self-conscious attitude and fear of being mocked for this truth is the entire reason for J. Alfred Prufrock’s cyclical misery. He does not love himself; therefore, he cannot find or receive or the love of another. If he never learns to share his truth, he will never understand the beauty of human connection. The reality of how much Prufrock shares about himself is shown in the line, â€Å"To prepare to meet the faces that you meet; to murder to create,† (Gwynn 622). The real self or â€Å"I†, as Videnov described in Human Voices in Silent Seas, is lost or â€Å"murdered† in society to â€Å"create† a false self or alter ego that functions in society. Another line stating this ego-oriented society and repeating the symbol of darkness reads, â€Å"the evening spread out against the sky,† (Gwynn 622) which refers to the apparent darkness of all humans all hidden under the masks of ego. Yet, if J. Alfred Prufrock understands this is a battle of every individual, he would be able to relate. In conclusion, it is J. Alfred Prufrock’s choice to live in misery. If he were open to see himself as a mirror image of others he would realize that every individual has insecurities of their own. Therefore, I agree with scholars Videnov and Xue in the psychoanalytical approach to J. Alfred Prufrock battling with his own ego versus the exploration and expression of his true self. If he deemed himself worthy of external expression then he would finally be able to share in love with himself and in turn, the rest of humanity. Works Cited Gwynn, R. S. Literature: A Pocket Anthology. 5th. New York: Pearson Education, Inc. , 2012. 21-625. Print. Videnov, Valentin A. Human Voices In Silent Seas: A Reading Of Eliots Love Song. Explicator 67. 2 (2009): 126-130. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. Sistani, Roohollah Reesi. Internal Anxieties And Conflicts In The LOVE SONG Of J. ALFRED PRUFROCK. European Journal Of Social Science 17. 4 (2010): 478-489. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. Xue, Haiqin. On An Overwhelming Question' In The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock. Canadian Social Science 5. 2 (2009): 79-82. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. Prufrock in Progress Essay Example Prufrock in Progress Essay Prufrock in Progress In A Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot, the main character, J. Alfred Prufrock battles with his identification in the world. T. S. Eliot comprises this character with traits that any human being can relate to, like fear and desire, while ironically depicting the character as a monster. This dueling monster lives within Prufrock. His desire to be accepted is bogged down by his unworthy self-esteem because of his lack of human relationships. Prufrock is a relatable character at best, but his self-image ruins his potential of connecting with other people. Some scholars believe that Prufrock is yearning for a long lost lover throughout his love song, but most evidence shows that he is in confliction with himself. Sistani writes Internal Anxieties and Conflicts in The LOVE SONG of J. ALFRED PRUFROCK and states that Prufrock is searching for a female lover in his expression of A Love Song. Sistani believes that J. Alfred is experiencing internal conflict about a love source and the need of comfort through a relationship with another woman. This interpretation poses irony continuously established throughout the poem because Prufrock does not even love himself. We will write a custom essay sample on Prufrock in Progress specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Prufrock in Progress specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Prufrock in Progress specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Sistani explains this insecurity by analyzing, â€Å"The article concludes that the male character’s anxieties and conflicts are all the results of a past unsatisfactory mothering situation during his childhood,† (Sistani 478). This accusation is made from empty evidence that he desires a woman’s affection simply because he did not ever have it. This shows that J. Alfred Prufrock is in a habitual pattern of looking for love in all the wrong places. This interpretation by Sistani suggests that J. Alfred is speaking out in the desire for a loving partner. Sadly, Prufrock’s relationship with his mother was disappointing and unfulfilling, therefore; he longs for someone to fill this place. Unfortunately, his lack of love and acceptance for himself disables him from relating and loving or even accepting others. Prufrock speaks of attending a party in which none of the women are good enough for him. He talks of their skirts hitting the floor and is infatuated by the women, but then ironically changes his viewpoint stating, And I have known the eyes already, known them all- The eyes that fix you in a ormulated phase, And when I am formulated, Sprawling on a pin, When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall, Then how should I begin? (Gwynn 623). Prufrock is explaining how women prevent him from being his true self. How the presence of them makes him feel like an insect being pinned on the wall; examined and preserved for humans to review and criticize. He deems the question of how to begin the expression of self when all women seem to want is a fixed idea of what a man should be, and that is not what J. Alfred is. Sistani evaluates â€Å"As a dependent character with not good enough mothering, Prufrock, like a child, is always willing to attach to an external loved object to achieve support and gratification. This need for attachment, to relate to the desired object is constant in Prufrock,† (Sistani 481). The poem in itself is a projection of how Prufrock views himself in comparison to how the reader or another person would view him. He projects only what he wants to be known, and leaves the rest as mystery. He purposefully reveals only what he is comfortable revealing, which will never lead to a sustainable relationship. Sistani concludes in her article, â€Å"Prufrock, with unresolved internal conflicts and anxieties still dreams of the women to attach to in order to fulfill the need for security and comfort,† (Sistani 481). This analysis believes that Prufrock himself feels he will not be able to fully express himself or be accepted without a female partner to lovingly accept him first. Unfortunately and ironically, the cycle persists because J. Alfred Prufrock does not ever have the epiphany that his entire misery is derived from his lack of confidence and love for himself, not from a lack of an external object or person. On the other hand, Human Voices in Silent Seas: A Reading on Eliot’s Love Song by Videnov uses a psychoanalytic approach to interpret the poem sang by J. Alfred Prufrock. She expands on his internal conflict of worthiness. Throughout the poem, Prufrock battles with the public and private sides of himself, and whether his thoughts and feelings are worthy of expression. Videnov explains this contrast in character by stating, â€Å"Through jarring and easy transitions, Eliot contrasts the privacy of observation, insight, and dream with the social functioning of man, his appraisal by others, and his appraisal of himself as reflected in â€Å"the eyes† (55), thoughts, and words of others. † (Videnov, Valentin A. , 126). Videnov also analyzes the internal and external influences on J. Alfred Prufrock’s psyche. The internal conflict that J. Alfred Prufrock exhibits throughout his love song is evident in his lack of self-confidence that leads to a feeling of disconnection with the human population. On one hand, Prufrock expresses the desire to cultivate a relationship with the external world, or a lover; yet on the other hand, he lets his insecurities define him and refuses to let himself engage in relationships with other people. Videnov explains this by describing Prufrock’s quest, â€Å"a quest for belonging, the examination of which could yield the message of the poem and the ultimately optimistic idea of love, as the title suggests, lurking behind the apparently tragic finale,† (Videnov, Valentin A. , 126). This statement establishes the irony in the desire to fulfill a journey of love, yet the inevitable misery Prufrock lives. The psychoanalytical dynamic of the ego and the true self is brought through in Prufrock’s character. T. S. Eliot repeatedly uses the pronouns, â€Å"you and I,† to describe this relationship of the ego and true self that Prufrock experiences. In the interpretation of Human Voices in Silent Seas: A Reading on Eliot’s Love Song, Videnov declares that these two entities are both representative of J. Alfred Prufrock himself. â€Å"You† represents the public face of Alfred J. Prufrock, the ego; and â€Å"I† represents the true self, the self that wants to be expressed but is prevented by Prufrock’s fear and insecurity. The opposing characters within Prufrock are further extended through the symbols of afternoon and evening. The imagery of afternoon is a representation of the light, the desire to express, and the need for connection. The evening represents a darkness, or comfort in the habitual pattern of the introverted mind and it’s self-destructive thoughts. Prufrock expresses his mental state when he says, ‘the evening sleeps so peacefully. † (Gwynn 624) In saying this, Prufrock is confirming within himself his comfort in the thought pattern of darkness. This leads him to question, â€Å"Would it have been worthwhile? † (Gwynn 625), referring to the desired human connection he wants deep down. He truly believes that expression of the self and what he, as an individual has to say and share, are not going to be acc epted by others. Because of his fear of expression, the singer sings a song of love, but predominately and more ironically, a song of sadness. He has continued his pattern of introversion to such an extreme that he suffers from continual loneliness and disassociation. He proves this dissociation when he ends the poem with an insight of his fantasy world of mermaids where he retreats, when he is lonely. He looks upon the beautiful creatures in awe of their unifying world; yet won’t even allow himself to be happy in his fantasy. He states this saying, â€Å"I do not think that they will sing to me,† (Gwynn 625). This prevents him from dreaming himself to a healthy and loving relationship with himself, or anyone else. The lines â€Å"let us go† (Gwynn 622) used repeatedly are incredibly significant in this poem. Us† being the internal representation of the two conflicting sides that exist within Prufrock, as he yearns for release of this horrible cycle. What J. Alfred Prufrock does not understand is that every individual goes through this experience of questioning self worth. The underlying ironic theme of this poem is the relation of the reader to Prufrock himself. This is a cry of the main character to emerge from the inn er seclusion that he feels – a bonding of the afternoon and evening, the light and dark, inner and outer; a battle for the merging of duality to become a union. In â€Å"an overwhelming question† in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by Xue, the main question that J. Alfred Prufrock is consistently in conflict with is whether or not to reveal his true self. Prufrock’s dueling character is established through the language of the poem. The internal conflict of Prufrock is addressed through repetitive language. â€Å"Prufrock is trying to express some deeper philosophical insight or disillusionment with society, but fears rejection. † (Xue 79). This fear causes his misery. Prufrock’s character is dominated by his uncertainty. The repetition of the lines, â€Å"there will be time,† (Gwynn 622) pose irony in the poem. Prufrock is hopeful that he will be able to truly open up to the world in time, yet currently; he is perpetuating his cycle of loneliness by assuming that these desires will naturally unfold without regarded effort. Xue states this in saying, â€Å"The phrase ‘There will be time,’ repeated five times between lines 23 and 36, represents his hesitation and delay, in order to conceal his inner anxiety to the world,† (Xue 80). Essentially, Prufrock is only happy when he is alone with his thoughts because there are no external influences to judge him, yet this is also his cause of misery. Irony is also addressed in the â€Å"you and I† (Gwynn 621) characterization of Prufrock. Xue states the psychoanalytical interpretation of these pronouns, â€Å"In the poem, Prufrock is divided in two selves. One is persuading Prufrock to ask the ‘overwhelming question’, while the other is trying to prevent it,† (Xue 82). Prufrock’s soul really desires is the opposite of what it endures. At the root of his inability to express is his insecurity. Prufrock asks, â€Å"Do I dare Disturb the Universe? † (Gywnn 623) which is direct evidence that Prufrock has serious lack of self-confidence. J. Alfred directly articulates his anxiety about interaction by describing his unappealing physical attributes. He quivers in the thought, â€Å"With a bald spot in the middle of my hair- ‘They will say: ‘How his hair is growing thin! ’† (Gwynn 623). This statement is directly in connection with Prufrock’s physical insecurity, as well as his emotional insecurity because of his self-image. He uses this as an excuse for his anti-social behavior. He manifests this negative expression of self by bolding stating that if he were to share with another he would, â€Å"Die with a dying fall,† (Gywnn 623). This self-conscious attitude and fear of being mocked for this truth is the entire reason for J. Alfred Prufrock’s cyclical misery. He does not love himself; therefore, he cannot find or receive or the love of another. If he never learns to share his truth, he will never understand the beauty of human connection. The reality of how much Prufrock shares about himself is shown in the line, â€Å"To prepare to meet the faces that you meet; to murder to create,† (Gwynn 622). The real self or â€Å"I†, as Videnov described in Human Voices in Silent Seas, is lost or â€Å"murdered† in society to â€Å"create† a false self or alter ego that functions in society. Another line stating this ego-oriented society and repeating the symbol of darkness reads, â€Å"the evening spread out against the sky,† (Gwynn 622) which refers to the apparent darkness of all humans all hidden under the masks of ego. Yet, if J. Alfred Prufrock understands this is a battle of every individual, he would be able to relate. In conclusion, it is J. Alfred Prufrock’s choice to live in misery. If he were open to see himself as a mirror image of others he would realize that every individual has insecurities of their own. Therefore, I agree with scholars Videnov and Xue in the psychoanalytical approach to J. Alfred Prufrock battling with his own ego versus the exploration and expression of his true self. If he deemed himself worthy of external expression then he would finally be able to share in love with himself and in turn, the rest of humanity. Works Cited Gwynn, R. S. Literature: A Pocket Anthology. 5th. New York: Pearson Education, Inc. , 2012. 21-625. Print. Videnov, Valentin A. Human Voices In Silent Seas: A Reading Of Eliots Love Song. Explicator 67. 2 (2009): 126-130. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2012. Sistani, Roohollah Reesi. Internal Anxieties And Conflicts In The LOVE SONG Of J. ALFRED PRUFROCK. European Journal Of Social Science 17. 4 (2010): 478-489. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. Xue, Haiqin. On An Overwhelming Question' In The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock. Canadian Social Science 5. 2 (2009): 79-82. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2012.