This poem is written in free verse, as there is no regular meter or rhyme scheme. It consists of five sections of varying lengths and the lines are short and feel incomplete. All of the broken pieces (“broken stone,” “broken column,” “broken jaw”) refer to the fragments and incompleteness of the hollow men. This theme of fragments is further expressed at the end of the poem when Eliot starts quoting expressions: "Life is very long" and "For Thine is the Kingdom," but these quotes are left incomplete. The fragmentation and brokenness that Eliot uses is here to express the hollow men’s poor, broken spiritual condition. The Hollow Men also say "death's dream kingdom" instead of “Heaven” and they fear the "eyes" of heavenly souls and the final judgmental that God will deliver. These examples further express the hollow men’s poor spiritual condition. The “fading, dying stars” symbolize the narrowing chance of hope and salvation from Heaven for the hollow men. To further express this idea, the hollow men cannot even finish a simple prayer. They have no hope for their future or plans for their life. They blame the “Shadow” for this nostalgia. This “Shadow” discussed in the last section refers to temptation or the Devil, who is the source of their hollowness.
The mulberry bush nursery rhyme is also included in this poem, but has been rewritten as the people are circling a “prickly pear cactus.” The last stanza ends with the continuation of this nursery rhyme. This nursery rhyme is now saying that the world will “end with a whimper.” This same section of the poem uses repetition, almost allowing the reader hear the quiet whimper fading away. This end to the poem is eerie and not what a reader would expect. The end of the world is expected to be a huge catastrophe or massive explosion, but this poem explains it more as a fading idea. It suggests to the reader the emptiness, dissatisfaction, and passivity of the hollow men.
I like the scarecrow reference a lot; someone who doesn't feel complete in life tend to seek comfort by surrounding themselves with others as a crutch. The poem seems very anti-humanist in nature. Satan is the cause of their hollowness, which means that these Hollow men have sinned in their lifetimes; and now they are too afraid to look up at Heaven, probably ashamed because their spirits are fragmented. Cool poem.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting to look at this analysis in contrast to the other analysis on the same poem. I liked that you pointed out the allusion in the beginning of the poem. I would not have probably picked up on that, but I think that it adds to the meaning and atmosphere of the poem. I also like that you pointed out how this poem can be seen as commentary about spiritual fragmentation. The theme of religion seems to be a common one among our readings for this class.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I also did this poem, it was interesting to read someone's else take. I am currently reading a book where the line "This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper" is used and the lines give a whole new meaning when I first read this poem. The world ending quietly isn't something we usually think of but like it you said it does suggest emptiness and even loneliness. If you are alone, it will end in a whimper and it's scary for some people. This poem makes you think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jacob about the theme of religion being present in so many of our readings. Having everything you do be meaningless is a horrible existence and is something everyone, whether they will admit it or not, is afraid of. The allusions to other pieces of literature really put the reader in such a hopeless and meaningless place that is perfect for understanding this poem. I also like the use of broken words and fragments which also aid in the complete understanding of the poem.
ReplyDeleteHannah Aycock
I greatly admire T.S. Elliot’s ability to take an object that is seemingly common or even unappealing (such as a scarecrow) and make it into something powerful that the reader, upon subsequent observation, will no longer see the same object as common or unappealing but powerful or meaningful. You did very well in calling attention to this technique and making it relevant to your subject. I would put something at the end like a concluding paragraph in order to wrap up everything. You also did well with relating T.S. Elliot’s work to other works; I find that the most effective way for me to remember something is to relate it to something else and it is always interesting to examine the relationship between different things.
ReplyDeleteI have not yet read The Inferno, but when you described how the Hollow Men looked, but could not see, "death's dream kingdom," it really reminded me of Satan in "Et nox facta est," because he could not see Heaven either. You picked up on Eliot's diction, and I agree with your interpretation that it is used to further the men's brokenness. It is unsettling that these scarecrows of men cannot seem to protect themselves from the Shadow because of their lack of faith. The way you describe the end also quite sinister. Even so, I'm intrigued by this work!
ReplyDeleteI like the point of view where your analysis comes from especially when talking about the rhyme scheme and the structure of this poem. I feel like it shows more characteristics of the poem such as the fact that the hollow men don't really feel like they have done anything with their life, and their lives are incomplete.
ReplyDeleteThe one part of your analysis that stood out to me was the a part of the poem that seemed out of place. While everything about the poem creates this image of a dry, desolate, lonely scene, it's Eliot's positioning of the scarecrows that mystifies me. Does anyone else wonder why the scarecrows are leaning together? I'd love to get your thoughts. I think it might be Eliot's way of illustrating that mankind can be in union with one another but still be lonely and empty. Perhaps it's an illustration of the fact that other people cannot restore life in us, because when it comes down to it, humans are all hollow. (Not my opinion, mind you)
ReplyDeleteI always find it interesting how authors pull religion into their works. The great number of allusions in this work makes it necessary to have a good literary background to fully understand the what Eliot is trying to get across to the reader. Great job with your analysis.
ReplyDeleteThis poem sounds eerily dark. I will have to read this because I love how you talked about Eliot's use of the framework of the poem to symbolize the fragmentation and broken feel of the Hollow Men.I also think it is very interesting that Eliot seemed to interpret the end of the world as a fade and not a bang. Religion and belief are always so interesting to study.
ReplyDeleteI am very intrigued with the thought of the world fading away. I do believe I need to read this now because I like to read about apocalyptic possibilities. What would that be like for the world to fade away? This entire poem seems to be very dark and thought provoking so I am going to need to read it. Great analysis Hailey!
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