Question

In "The Hollow Men," the fact that there are "no eyes" and a "broken jaw" in the dead land could symbolize ________.

a) Hope and optimism
b) Communication and connection
c) Desolation and disconnection
d) Physical decay

Answer 1

In T.S. Eliot's 'The Hollow Men,' 'no eyes' and a 'broken jaw' symbolize 'desolation and disconnection,' not hope, physical decay, or communication.

Step-by-step explanation:

In "The Hollow Men" by T.S. Eliot, the imagery of "no eyes" and a "broken jaw" in the dead land symbolizes desolation and disconnection. This vivid imagery conveys a sense of void and an inability to communicate or connect, aligning with themes of sterility and the spiritual emptiness of modern life. The imagery does not invoke hope, physical decay or communication as such, but rather a deeper absence of soul and engagement within the human condition. The broken elements not only suggest despair but also a disintegration of communal bonds and human expression, much like how Munch, through his painting "In Despair", uses visual cues like a bridge's railing to lead the viewer through an emotionally flat landscape resonating with grief and pain.