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Comment 17 of 47, added on October 3rd, 2005 at 12:00 PM.
to SN -
The Shadow falls between the idea/reality, motion/act, not ambiguously
amoung these concepts. The idea is what is worshipped, the concept thrown
out. The motion is worshipped, the act carelessly discarded. The fifth
section, at least, is a direct reference to religion (for thine is the
kingdom, etc.), and what he is trying to tell us about religion is that it
is focusing in the wrong places (the shadow). The poem makes absolutely
direct connections to religion, and whether or not there are other things
in it about war or sexuality, the religious references are there. Also, no
one yet has commented on the fact that the world ends in a whimper. If it
was referencing war, the world would end in a bang. The world ends in a
whimper because of these peoples screwed up beliefs and lack of testicles.
They choose to not pursue their own religious beliefs, so they wind up
following other hollow men into nothingness.
Kid from United States
Comment 16 of 47, added on August 25th, 2005 at 2:52 AM.
I have been rather depressed by the Mr. Neilsen comment concerning "sexual
context" in the poem. Well, it certainly is freudian-like but apart from
agreeing with the comment about reading Konrad's novel, I'd also like to
add that from my point of view the poem also has to do with Dante's
Inferno, since these are not "lost violent souls" but "the hollow men, the
stuffed men", though, naturally, Dante is not enough to be able to
appreciate Eliot's poetry properly. As for "freudian" comments, I think
that they merely simplify things, thus leaving interpreters no chance to
really understand poetry or anything else. The comment in question shows
quite explicitly how a philosophical masterpiece may be spoiled by a
careless reader.
Samuel from Russia
Comment 15 of 47, added on August 21st, 2005 at 7:48 AM.
Most all of you are truly missing the point. The true concepts of these
poem cannot be percieved without reading Joseph Conrads, "Heart of
Darkness". This poem is an allusion to this book in every way. The Hollow
Men is refering to all men in the world who live their lives with no
purpose except to pursue money and waste their lives. These are the Hollow
Men, on their trip to the after life, finally realizing where they went
wrong; but it is already too late. Although this poem an apply to all men,
Eliot probably was refering to the main characters of Heart of Darkness,
such as Marlow.
Kyle Christopherson from United States
Comment 14 of 47, added on August 17th, 2005 at 10:35 PM.
Although, I dare not guess what Eliot was thinking, as I try to see meaning
in this work, I see someone talking about the desparity of waking up on the
wrong side of the afterlife. Notice, how death's other Kingdom is
capitalized, while when speaking of the kingdom he finds himself in, there
is no capitalization. The constant use of the word "death" seems to suggest
we are in afterlife discussion here. :-)
M. Kline from United States
Comment 13 of 47, added on July 15th, 2005 at 6:34 AM.
The poem shows Eliots personal struggle with the concept of love in a
sexual context. The shadow about which he speaks is his shame, he cannot
love in a sexual way as he sees sex as an idea, reality motion and act,
conception, creation, desire and spasm, potency, essence and descent.
Whether he was impotent, premature or celibate or just scared is neither
apparent or of any consequence, it is his reading of the act that ties this
poem together and makes it so powerfull.
SN
Stephen Neilsen from Australia
Comment 12 of 47, added on June 9th, 2005 at 11:42 AM.
Throughout this poem, I find a sense of helplessness and insecurity.
Everything seems to be a mystery not only for the reader but also for the
protagonist as well. Yet through the hoplessness, there is a sense that
there is more to life than just fragments of what was left behind. There's
more to live for!
Erin from United States
Comment 11 of 47, added on May 31st, 2005 at 1:27 PM.
I love that show!
john from Barbados
Comment 10 of 47, added on May 24th, 2005 at 9:35 AM.
I think a lot of you guys are missing the epigram at the top of the poem:
"Mistah Kurtz -- he dead." This is a quote from the novel Heart of
Darkness. Eliot wants you to keep this book in mind while reading his poem,
and the book doesn't have anything to do with any World Wars or even
America.
Jeremy from United States
Comment 9 of 47, added on May 22nd, 2005 at 8:14 PM.
this poem reminds my of my huge genitals...amazing
jason from Australia
Comment 8 of 47, added on May 4th, 2005 at 7:59 AM.
I think the poem is depicting how men, especially war veterans, feel when
they have no purpose or meaning in their lives. They feel empty or
"hollow", and they don't want the "eyes" to look at them, or even look back
at them, because it would only reflect the pain and emptiness in their
souls. Just a thought.
Twiggy from United States
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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to SN -
The Shadow falls between the idea/reality, motion/act, not ambiguously
amoung these concepts. The idea is what is worshipped, the concept thrown
out. The motion is worshipped, the act carelessly discarded. The fifth
section, at least, is a direct reference to religion (for thine is the
kingdom, etc.), and what he is trying to tell us about religion is that it
is focusing in the wrong places (the shadow). The poem makes absolutely
direct connections to religion, and whether or not there are other things
in it about war or sexuality, the religious references are there. Also, no
one yet has commented on the fact that the world ends in a whimper. If it
was referencing war, the world would end in a bang. The world ends in a
whimper because of these peoples screwed up beliefs and lack of testicles.
They choose to not pursue their own religious beliefs, so they wind up
following other hollow men into nothingness.
Kid from United States