Student Question

What is the meaning of lines 13-18 in "The Hollow Men" by T.S. Eliot?

THOSE WHO HAVE CROSSED
WITH DIRECT EYES,TO THE DEATH'S OTHER KINGDOM
REMEMBER US-IF AT ALL-NOT AS LOST
VIOLENT SOULS,BUT ONLY
AS THE HOLLOW MEN
THE STUFFED MEN

Quick answer:

In lines 13-18 of "The Hollow Men," T.S. Eliot emphasizes themes of death and isolation. The Hollow Men express a desire to be remembered not as "lost violent souls," but as empty, insignificant beings. "Those who have crossed" likely alludes to the Greek myth of Charon and crossing the river Styx, suggesting the Hollow Men are barred from "Death's other kingdom," possibly heaven. This reflects their spiritual blindness and unfulfilled existence.

Expert Answers

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Lines thirteen through eighteen of "The Hollow Men" further reinforces the imagery of death and isolation created throughout the poem.  Overall, these lines suggest that the Hollow Men wish for remembrance, specifically not as "lost violent souls," but merely empty men.  Line thirteen "those who have crossed" could be interpreted as an allusion to the greek myth of Charon, in which the dead must cross the river Styx.  "Death's other kingdom" references a place in which the hollow men cannot gain admittance; their deeds and sins have left them by the river.  The reader could use these details to conclude that "Death's other kingdom" is in fact heaven, where people may view with "direct eyes" God's full glory.  This contrast reveals the Hollow Men to be blind, visionless to glory and evil alike, and numb.  Their existence has rendered them empty and unfulfilled.

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