Questions for “The Hollow Men”. 1)In what ways does this poem reflect the fragmentation characteristic of Modernism?
2)How does Eliot’s handling of the line from the Lord’s Prayer reflect modernist techniques? You may want to look up The Lord’s Prayer online if you aren’t familiar with it.

For Thine is the Kingdom

For Thine is
Life is
For Thine is the

3) Is there any possibility for salvation for the Hollow Men? Are they capable of saving themselves? Does the poem contain any signs of hope?
4) Eliot once described the newspaper editors and politicians of his time in a way that made them sound like "Hollow Men." Does contemporary society have its Hollow Men? Would you associate them with a particular social group?
5) Do you find it offensive or arrogant of Eliot to judge other people so harshly? Does the fact that he does so with an imaginary group in a poem make a difference?
6) Where are the Hollow Men's eyes?
7) Do you think the Hollow Men will make it across the River Styx, or are they trapped forever in the desert?
8) Do you agree that people who are too timid to do bad things and who only look out for themselves are more despicable than people who actively commit evil? Do you see a difference between the two forms of badness?