T.S. Eliot - The Hollow Men Epigraphs + Lines 1-18

This video is part of the Perfecting Poetry series, focusing on T.S. Eliot's 'The Hollow Men.' It provides a detailed analysis of the poem's epigraphs and the first part, exploring historical and personal contexts, literary allusions, and thematic elements like paradoxes and motifs. The lesson encourages reflection on modern society's spiritual emptiness, using Eliot's work as a lens.

What is the main theme explored in T.S. Eliot's 'The Hollow Men'?

• Romantic love

• Spiritual emptiness

• Technological advancement

• Political power

Which historical event is referenced in the second epigraph of 'The Hollow Men'?

• The Russian Revolution

• Guy Fawkes Day

• The American Civil War

• The French Revolution

What does the reference to 'Mistah Kurtz' in the epigraph suggest?

• A connection to modern technology

• A critique of colonialism and greed

• A celebration of cultural diversity

• A focus on romantic relationships

What literary technique is used in the phrase 'We are the hollow men, we are the stuffed men'?

• Paradox

• Metaphor

• Alliteration

• Simile

How does T.S. Eliot use inclusive language in 'The Hollow Men'?

• By using words like 'they' and 'them'

• By using words like 'us', 'our', and 'we'

• By using words like 'he' and 'she'

• By using words like 'you' and 'your'

What does the motif of dryness in the poem symbolize?

• Abundance

• Desolation

• Joy

• Growth

What is the effect of sibilance in the poem?

• It emphasizes the poem's rhythm

• It creates a joyful atmosphere

• It evokes a sense of whispering and desolation

• It adds a musical quality

What is the significance of the 'paralyzed force' in the poem?

• It indicates rapid movement

• It symbolizes spiritual paralysis

• It represents physical strength

• It shows emotional stability

Which literary work is alluded to in the discussion of souls crossing the river?

• Homer's 'Odyssey'

• Milton's 'Paradise Lost'

• Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'

• Dante's 'Inferno'

What does the phrase 'gesture without motion' imply in the poem?

• Dynamic action

• Physical strength

• Joyful movement

• Stagnation and helplessness