Final Answer:
Three definitions of "hollow" are:
1. Having an empty space or cavity within.
2. Lacking in real value, sincerity, or substance.
3. Emotionally empty or deeply affected by a sense of emptiness or loss.
In T. S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men," the Hollow Men embody the first definition as they are spiritually and emotionally empty, lacking genuine connections or purpose. They also represent the second definition as their lives are marked by a lack of sincerity and substance, dwelling in a state of existential crisis. Additionally, the third definition applies as they grapple with an emotional emptiness and a profound sense of loss, making their hollowness a central theme in the poem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first definition of "hollow" refers to having an empty space or cavity within. In "The Hollow Men," Eliot uses this definition to depict the spiritual and emotional emptiness of the characters. The poem portrays individuals who lack a meaningful inner life, existing in a state of desolation. Lines such as "Shape without form, shade without colour" emphasize this emptiness, highlighting the absence of substance or purpose in their existence.
The second definition of "hollow" relates to lacking in real value, sincerity, or substance. In Eliot's poem, the Hollow Men exemplify this by leading lives devoid of genuine connections or authentic experiences. Their actions are marked by a sense of futility and superficiality, reflecting the hollowness in their relationships and pursuits. Eliot's use of fragmented language and disconnected imagery reinforces the idea that the Hollow Men are caught in a world of illusions and superficiality, lacking true substance.
The third definition of "hollow" pertains to being emotionally empty or deeply affected by a sense of emptiness or loss. In "The Hollow Men," the characters grapple with an existential void, haunted by a profound sense of loss and spiritual desolation. The repeated refrain "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper" captures the emotional emptiness and resignation that characterize the Hollow Men's existence. Their hollowness extends beyond the physical or superficial, delving into the emotional and existential aspects of their being.