Modern World

The current paper provides an analytical study of Eliot’s poem, “The Hollow Men.” The methods that have been employed in this research are textual and reader-response analyses. The poem has been explored from both approaches in order to know the first impression of the researcher of the poem and backed by critics’ notions of the poem. The study thus intends to shed light on two main themes including religion, spirituality, meaninglessness and nothingness. It also tends to demonstrate how Eliot portrays his own view on the modern men and the modern life through this poem. Eliot believes that modern men are hollow from their insides, and they are empty yet filled with straw just like a scarecrow. The paper tackles the critics’ views on Eliot, Eliot’s view on modernity, and the role of tradition and intertextuality in Eliot’s poetry. The paper finally depicts major themes in the poem. Eliot, in his quest for finding a satisfying religion, penned “The Hollow Men” as a mirror to the conditions of the society after the World War I which caused suffering from lack of faith, religion and morality.

The concepts used in Iqbal Lahori's poetry indicate that the political, social, and cultural settings of the time had greatly influenced his ideas. Influenced by three sources, namely the philosophy based on spiritual perfection, a kind of pan-Islamic approach to propagate among Muslims, and a political view toward his own country, Iqbal deals with the modern socio-political crises plaguing Muslims and drawing upon guidelines received from Molavi-his master whose ideas can be a great source of inspiration to solve new problems of the Islamic world and the colonized nations-he addressed many of these problems. In Javid Nama, he believes that desperately romantic poets are the hearts of the nations and give the body the life-giving blood. Such poets create liveliness in their nations. Iqbal calls them "the Prophet's heirs", who carry the burden of guiding people. Jalal-e-din Mohammad Balkhi, is the symbol of a committed and passionate poet who is the source of life to his nation and transforms the universe through his burning voice. To Iqbal, he is the pioneer of the lovers, whom he is the guide. In Iqbal's view, Rumi master us a fellow-traveler whose company brings salvation and bliss. He advises the followers of the path of divine love to accompany him so that, through his blessings, they know themselves and do great things inspired by strong belief and reach their eventual goal.