'Prufrock and Other Observations' Summary

**Prufrock and Other Observations** is a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot that captures the disillusionment and uncertainty of the post-war era. The title poem, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," is a stream-of-consciousness monologue of a man facing insecurity, uncertainty, and his own inertia. Originally written in 1911 and published in 1915 at the encouragement of Ezra Pound, Prufrock is commonly cited as a work marking the start of the modern poetry era. The collection also includes poems like Portrait of a Lady and Rhapsody on a Windy Night -- featuring detailed character studies, observations on the isolation of present-day society, and grappling with post-war disillusionment. Eliot's use of vivid imagery, complex symbolism, and innovative use of language make this collection a groundbreaking work in 20th-century poetry.