Question

In "the hollow men," how might you interpret eliot’s use of the words hollow, dried, and broken to describe the hollow men?

a. the hollow men spend their lives making repairs and gathering supplies.
b. the lives of the hollow men are empty—void of spirituality or meaning.
c. the hollow men suffer from the damaging effects of heat and wind.
d. the hollow men are without money that would allow them to repair their homes.

Answer 1

In 'The Hollow Men', the words 'hollow', 'dried', and 'broken' metaphorically describe the spiritual emptiness and lack of meaning in the lives of the hollow men, indicating option B as the correct interpretation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The words hollow, dried, and broken used by T. S. Eliot in 'The Hollow Men' suggest a deep sense of despair and emptiness characterizing the 'hollow men'. Option B is correct: the lives of the hollow men are empty—void of spirituality or meaning.

These descriptors evoke a sense of spiritual barrenness and a profound loss of purpose and humanity. Rather than indicating physical conditions or economic status, these words metaphorically represent the internal condition of the characters, who are devoid of substance, strength, and wholeness. The existential void that is central to the poem is highlighted by the consistent use of such desolate imagery, conveying the absence of fulfillment and the futility of their existence.