Is “The Hollow Men” a warning about coming events or a reflection of a situation that has already developed?
Consider the scene “The Hollow Men” describes. According to the poem, what is society like? How did society get to be this way? Is the setting a good situation or a bad situation?
As you think about this question, remember the difference between reflection and didacticism. Does “The Hollow Men” seem to be more didactic or reflective?