As discussed in class, decadence is the decay of morals held by people and society which is possibly due to an unrestrained indulgence amongst society. We seek out the forbidden and speak without regret about tawdry subject matters. In T.S. Elliot’s work ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufruck’ he shows some aspects of decadence. One part of decadence he illustrates is by saying things how they are. For example, in line 6 “of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels” he doesn’t sugar coat having to stay somewhere other than one’s bed. No, he says it how it is, sleeping on a cheap foreign bed brings next to no sleep. Elliot also shows decadence when he talks about the ‘yellow fog’. As a result of the industrial era, England was covered in the smoke produced by the factories. Elliot does not hold back when he talks about this smoke. He goes into great detail about how it just covers everything i.e. “rubs its back upon the window-panes”, “rubs its muzzle”, “licked its tongue into the corners”, “lingered upon the pools” (15-18). Another aspect of decadence Elliot illustrates is unrestrained indulgence. He constantly says “would it have been worth it, after all” which leads me to believe he is talking about these over indulgences such as tea and marmalade. In my opinion it sounds as if he is questioning these indulgences of his.
ENGL 2523: Major British Writers II 
I completely agree with all of your points and I really like how you interpreted the idea of decadence. In the beginning of the poem, when I read lines 9-12, which read ” Of insidious intent/ To lead you to an overwhelming question../ Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” / Let us go and make out visit,” challenges everything individuals during the 19th century knew. Instead of questioning science, society and institutions about rising questions in one’s heads, the individual is told to seek if he/she desires to obtain information about something. The narrator basically states to spend time questioning “experts” going on about theories, rather go out, and find the answer. It is as if the the individual in the poem is having an epiphany over widely accepted theories.
Decadence is also seen when the narrator mentions that “In the room the women come and go/ Talking of Michelangelo.” The women do not hide out their thoughts nor impressions. The talk of Michelangelo among the women arises a sense of sensuality and how the women are attracted to talking about Michelangelo due to his art for arts sake.
The poem also diverges from decadence. During the poem, the narrator questions himself a lot by saying things such as “So how should I presume,” and “how should I begin?.” The narrator questioning how he should move on with life, shows how he is seeking a certain form of morality to guide him further. He doubts that he can figure it out on his own. The narrator also questions his appearance and how he should wear his hair and questions what he should eat. He is not able to make decisions for himself. It is as is he is searching for a correct morality on how to live life.