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.

How does T.S. Eliot's personal life influence the themes presented in 'The Hollow Men'?

How does the poem's structure contribute to its overall meaning?

In what ways does 'The Hollow Men' reflect the historical context of the interwar period?

What is the significance of the title 'The Hollow Men' in relation to the poem's themes?

Discuss the use of epigraphs in 'The Hollow Men' and their relevance to the poem's message.

How does Eliot's reference to Guy Fawkes contribute to the themes of rebellion and consequence in the poem?

What is the significance of the river Acheron in the context of the poem?

Analyze the paradox presented in the opening lines of the poem: 'We are the hollow men. We are the stuffed men.'

What role does the concept of 'dryness' play in the atmosphere of the poem?

What does the imagery of 'shape without form, shade without color' suggest about the hollow men?