The
paper looks at the strong
contrast between "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and the
social commentary in Emily Dickinson's
poems, notably 67, 249, 254, 505, and 712. The uncertainties of social standing that plague the character J. Alfred Prufrock are contrasted with Dickinson's resolve of these issues in her own
life. A distinction is also drawn between their
outlook and view of themselves in society and their ultimate happiness. The paper proposes that Dickinson's poems answer the questions Prufrock poses regarding his inability to take action.