Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxeds Church and The...

Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxeds Church and The Love Song of Alfred J. Prufrock The span of time from the Victorian age of Literature to the Modernism of the 20th century wrought many changes in poetry style and literary thinking. While both eras contained elements of self-scrutiny, the various forms and reasoning behind such thinking were vastly different. The Victorian age, with its new industrialization of society, brought to poetry and literature the fictional character, seeing the world from anothers eyes. It was also a time in which Victorian authors and intellectuals found a way to reassert religious ideas (Longman, p. 1790). Society was questioning the ideals of religion, yet people wanted to†¦show more content†¦Do I live, am I dead? (13) reveals the uncertainty of the bishops thoughts as he contemplates death, wondering if others see that he deserves such a fine tomb. In Eliots poem, Prufrock poses his own questioning, Do I dare? (38) and Do I dare/ disturb the universe? (45-46) which reflects his own personal conflict as he strug gles to decide on whether he should take action, any action in his own life. Although these monologues contain the same elements of self questioning, they are vastly different, both in style and in tone. The bishop of Brownings poem sees himself as a great man, How I earned the prize! (33). He orders this stately tomb of lapis (102) and antique black basalt (53-54), a tomb so rich such as a king or queen might be deserving of. This gives us a clear picture that he thinks highly of himself, and he wants others to see the same, even after he is dead, the tomb much like a shrine of great importance. In contrast, Alfred J. Prufrock of Eliots poem, feels no such greatness in himself. He is filled with vast uncertainty so that every small decision is wrought with conflict, and as such, he never does anything. I have measured out my life with coffee spoons (51) shows us that his life was characterized by small measures, having done no great work. I am no prophet (84) and Am an attendant lord, one that will do (112) characterizes his view of himself,