Read this excerpt from “the love song of j. alfred prufrock” by t. s. elliot. assuming that eliot's reference to mermaids in this excerpt symbolizes the sources of inspiration of traditional poetry, what do these lines imply? shall i part my hair behind? do i dare to eat a peach? i shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. i have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. i do not think that they will sing to me. i have seen them riding seaward on the waves combing the white hair of the waves blown back when the wind blows the water white and black. we have lingered in the chambers of the sea by sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown till human voices wake us, and we drown. the poet wants to escape from the modern world by reverting to traditional poetry. the poet likes traditional poetry, but he feels incapable of working with traditional forms. the poet draws inspiration from the same sources as traditional poets. the poet feels that traditional sources of inspiration are ineffective in the modern world.