What literary technique is used in the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"?

The poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," written by T.S. Eliot, employs stream of consciousness as a primary literary technique. This method reflects the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings that pass through Prufrock's mind, often in a disjointed and non-linear manner. This technique allows readers to gain insight into Prufrock's internal struggles, insecurities, and hesitations as he contemplates his life and his interactions with others.

In "Prufrock," the narrative shifts fluidly from one idea to another, mirroring the way thoughts naturally occur in a person’s mind. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, inviting readers into Prufrock's psyche, filled with self-doubt and anxiety about social interactions and aging. The stream of consciousness technique aligns with modernist themes of fragmentation and the complexity of human experience, which are central to Eliot's work.

The other techniques mentioned, such as metaphor, imagery, and alliteration, certainly appear within the poem and contribute to its richness. However, they are not the central focus in the way that the stream of consciousness technique is used to shape the overall structure and emotional depth of Prufrock's thoughts.