Question

How does repetition help to support the theme in "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" that obsession with appearance and status keeps people from living in the moment?

Answer 1

The repetition of "there will be time" annotates the sense that Prufrock is unsure of his intents. It raises the thought that he hasn't convinced himself or his partner. To "prepare a face" sends a message that Prufrock must hide his true emotions from his lover.The effect of repetition in the poem is to help the reader know that the repeated part is important and they should remember it. It contributes to tone by the repetition because it shows the theme represented in the text.