T.S. Eliot's The Hollow Men Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is 'The Hollow Men' sometimes considered as a mere appendage to?

The Waste Land

What concern does 'The Hollow Men' reflect regarding T.S. Eliot?

Ethical values

What does 'The Hollow Men' evoke?

Depression of the 1930s and sadness after WWI

What does the poem express about Eliot's fellow men?

A spiritual journey towards salvation from despair Signup and view all the answers

How many parts does 'The Hollow Men' consist of?

Five parts Signup and view all the answers

The poem starts with two epigraphs. First one is _____________ ; it is the quote from _'s novel ________________.

Mistah Kurtz - he dead; Joseph Conrad; Heart of Darkness Signup and view all the answers

What does Kurtz signify in 'The Hollow Men'?

Lost/violent barbarian, the prototypical hollow man Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important feature in 'The Hollow Men'?

Repetition Signup and view all the answers

What idea is enclosed by the repetition at the end of Part I?

Hollowness and emptiness Signup and view all the answers

What main themes are highlighted in lines 11-12?

Meaninglessness, nothingness, and paralysis Signup and view all the answers

What system do all the concepts in the poem create?

Binary opposition Signup and view all the answers

What are the most commonly repeated items in the poem?

The eyes, the voices, the stars, and references to death's other kingdom Signup and view all the answers

What does Eliot use as a form of expression in 'The Hollow Men'?

Negation Signup and view all the answers

Everything in 'The Hollow Men' is described as?

Circular, repetitive, and somewhat absurd Signup and view all the answers

What does repetition alongside which device enhance in the poem?

Anaphora Signup and view all the answers

What does the poem represent?

A fragmented reality through a variety of voices Signup and view all the answers

What type of verse is used in 'The Hollow Men'?

Blank or free verse Signup and view all the answers

Parallel and repetitive structures provide _____ to the poem and also emphasize _ and ______.

Rhythm; diction; ideas Signup and view all the answers

The use of __, _ and ________ also guides the rhythmic reading of the lines.

Caesuras; punctuation; enjambment Signup and view all the answers

What does the poem describe?

The disheartening existence of the inhabitants of an arid landscape Signup and view all the answers

What do Conrad's character and the 'Old Guy' introduce in the poem?

The hollow men, indicating both what they are and what they are not Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of 'The Hollow Men'?

Episodic and fragmentary Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main oppositions articulated in 'The Hollow Men'?

A 'here' and a 'there', a physical world and its abstract counterpart Signup and view all the answers

What does 'here' refer to in the poem?

'Here' refers to the wasteland inhabited by the hollow men Signup and view all the answers

What does 'there' refer to in the poem?

'There' lies in 'death's dream kingdom' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of "The Hollow Men"

Considered an appendage to "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot.
Reflects modernist themes and conveys concerns about ethical values.

Historical and Emotional Context

Evokes the depression of the 1930s and post-World War I sadness.
Captures a sense of hopelessness and despair prevalent in Eliot's time.

Structure and Content

Composed of five distinct parts.
Begins with two epigraphs, notably "Mistah Kurtz - he dead" from Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness."

Themes and Symbolism

Kurtz represents the archetype of a "hollow man," signifying lost humanity and violence.
Explores a spiritual journey towards salvation from despair.

Literary Devices

Repetition serves as a dominant feature, reinforcing themes of hollowness.
Binaries and negation illustrate the poem's concepts cancelling each other.

Major Ideas

Key repeated images include EYES, VOICES, STARS, and references to DEATH'S OTHER KINGDOM.
The poem suggests a fragmented reality through diverse voices.

Structural Elements

Utilizes blank or free verse.
Incorporates rhythm, diction, and ideas through parallel and repetitive structures.

Tone and Atmosphere

Describes the bleak existence of inhabitants in a modern wasteland.
Functions as a sarcastic elegy highlighting quests and failures.

Character and Allegory

Conrad's character and "Old Guy" signify what the hollow men represent and fail to achieve.

Thematic Contrasts

Articulates opposition between "here" (the physical wasteland) and "there" (death's dream kingdom).
"Here" symbolizes an arid, desolate landscape, while "there" represents unrealized possibilities.

Conclusion of Realities

The ultimate convergence of "here" and "there" embodies a critical intersection in the poem.

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Description

Test your knowledge of T.S. Eliot's poem 'The Hollow Men' with these flashcards. Explore key themes, historical context, and connections to Eliot's other works, particularly 'The Waste Land'. Perfect for students and poetry enthusiasts alike.