Question
From The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,
Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter,
I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, 85
And in short, I was afraid.
In this portion of the poem, the speaker compares himself to John the Baptist, who was beheaded by Herod in events recorded in the New Testament.
How does the speaker in this poem distinguish himself from John the Baptist, despite the comparison?
Responses
A He is not bald, unlike John the Baptist.He is not bald, unlike John the Baptist.
B He has not suffered, unlike John the Baptist.He has not suffered, unlike John the Baptist.
C He has many possessions, unlike John the Baptist.He has many possessions, unlike John the Baptist.
D He is not important or profound, unlike John the Baptist.
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,
Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter,
I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, 85
And in short, I was afraid.
In this portion of the poem, the speaker compares himself to John the Baptist, who was beheaded by Herod in events recorded in the New Testament.
How does the speaker in this poem distinguish himself from John the Baptist, despite the comparison?
Responses
A He is not bald, unlike John the Baptist.He is not bald, unlike John the Baptist.
B He has not suffered, unlike John the Baptist.He has not suffered, unlike John the Baptist.
C He has many possessions, unlike John the Baptist.He has many possessions, unlike John the Baptist.
D He is not important or profound, unlike John the Baptist.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:
D He is not important or profound, unlike John the Baptist.
In this excerpt, the speaker reflects on his own fears and insecurities, suggesting that he does not see himself as having the same significance or prophetic role as John the Baptist, despite the comparison. He expresses a sense of failure and fear rather than greatness.
D He is not important or profound, unlike John the Baptist.
In this excerpt, the speaker reflects on his own fears and insecurities, suggesting that he does not see himself as having the same significance or prophetic role as John the Baptist, despite the comparison. He expresses a sense of failure and fear rather than greatness.