Here's a breakdown of what makes the hollow men "hollow":
* Lack of Purpose and Meaning: They are "stuffed men," "lean and hungry," lacking a core identity and sense of purpose. Their lives are characterized by a meaningless routine and a lack of connection to the world around them.
* Spiritual Emptiness: They are "hollow" inside, lacking any inner life or spiritual depth. They are described as "born with a caul," a traditional belief associated with a life of bad luck and misfortune.
* Fear and Apathy: They are paralyzed by fear and inaction. They are unable to act on their desires or to connect with others. They are "caught in the heart of the city," yet remain alienated and detached from their surroundings.
* Haunted by Guilt and Regret: They are haunted by a sense of guilt and regret, symbolized by the "wind's whisper" and the "shadow" that follows them. Their past actions weigh heavily upon them, contributing to their sense of hopelessness.
Symbolic Significance:
The "hollow men" are a powerful symbol of the alienation and spiritual emptiness that Eliot saw in post-World War I society. They represent the loss of faith, the breakdown of traditional values, and the rise of nihilism.
In a nutshell, the hollow men are a stark depiction of the human condition when it is devoid of purpose, meaning, and connection.