The Theme of Emptiness in “The Hollow Men” “The Hollow Men,” a poem written by T.S. Eliot shows the narrators disgust and his faithless attitude toward all mankind. He refers to the human race as being “hollow,” (1) and having a “headpiece filled with straw,” (4) which creates the feeling and theme of emptiness. Eliot also uses allusions, symbols, and repetition as powerful, and depressing poetic devices to make mankind seem hollow. The theme of emptiness is clearly visible throughout the poem, and it begins in the title. “The Hollow Men” refers to mankind being empty, and that there is no meaning to the