Portrait of a Lady by T.S.Eliot

This is the second poem from Eliot's Prufrock volume of 1917. It concerns the tenuous relationship between a younger man and an older woman - she seemingly hoping the friendship will develop, he holding back. Eliot's language as always can be specialised so perhaps I should give the following definitions: velleities are wishful thoughts that find no outlet in action; cauchemar is French for nightmare; ariettes are short tunes; and bock is a strong lager.

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[trisoctehedron]

Seems like the same ground he went over later, in the abstract, in Prufrock. You present this poem of this very conflicted young man so clearly I feel that I can hear every nuance.

[brychar66]

It's a great poem, a small dramatic monologue with nothing left out, feelings, place, sense of ennui. Thanks for your comment. Chas.

[brychar66]

thanks! Chas.

[Aussyprideuracists]

the female persona, as i like to call her, is a bit of a slut

[trisoctehedron]

Ennui--I see. I had always taken this to be a poem about a sexually-repressed young man being offered something he can't take. But then I noticed the lady is much older than he--since she alludes to death, which you don't normally do in normal conversation unless you're old.

[tomsinge]

excellent reading