There will be time to murder and create,

from T.S. Eliot – The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock on Rap Genius

Eliot is referring to the process of selection that any artist must go through in the creation of something. Prufrock is referring to the creation of character, or, his persona. He feels the need to perform for the women he is going to visit. Eliot’s usage and juxtaposition of the words “murder” and “create” is that much more potent when we consider that Prufrock is talking about possible versions of himself.

(c.f.) “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” and this excellent talk given by Charles Moraze

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