"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"

By chance I was thinking about T.S. Eliot's poem recently. Prufrock is paralyzed by his self-awareness. 

Perhaps the most significant dispute lies over the "overwhelming question" that Prufrock is trying to ask. Many believe that Prufrock is trying to tell a woman of his romantic interest in her,[19] pointing to the various images of women's arms and clothing and the final few lines in which Prufrock laments that the mermaids will not sing to him. Others, however, believe that Prufrock is trying to express some deeper philosophical insight or disillusionment with society, but fears rejection, pointing to statements that express a disillusionment with society such as "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons" (line 51). Many believe that the poem is a criticism of Edwardian society and Prufrock's dilemma represents the inability to live a meaningful existence in the modern world.[24] McCoy and Harlan wrote "For many readers in the 1920s, Prufrock seemed to epitomize the frustration and impotence of the modern individual. He seemed to represent thwarted desires and modern disillusionment."*

Coincidently, "30 Rock" - I think - has its finale next Thursday. For many years I wouldn't watch the show, because I had a crush on Fey - who's my age - and one shouldn't encourage that kind of lameass embarrassing thing. Friends at work would want to discuss it and insisted I would like because I have that kind of sense of humor. Eventually I gave in, there isn't much else on TV these days. And yes the show is very funny and right up my alley. Part of what's funny are the very un-selfaware and un-selfconscious characters like Tracy Jordan and Jenna Malone. In last night's show, Liz Lemon adopts 2 children who are kid-versions of the two. Larry David is in some ways un-selfconscious when some rude person transgresses one of his unwritten social rules or guidelines. And Sarah Silverman's character on her show was very un-self-aware. These kinds of people are godsends to the Prufrocks among us.
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*maybe the question is about politics and philosophy, the deep issues your average middle class American feels they should stay clear of.