The Listeners

The Listeners


The poet, Walter De La Mare, paints a vivid image with his choice of words and details. He creates the figures in our minds and leaves uncertainly in the reader. The poet gives us enough detail to allow understanding but keeps many secrets in the poem to convey a mystery.

The title, in itself is a mystery. The reader is immediately curious as to why the poem is named The Listeners. Many questions arise in the reader’s mind. Who are the mysterious listeners? What is their role in the story? Although some questions are addressed throughout the story, many go unanswered, leaving room for contemplation.

After the initial mystery of the title, the traveller is introduced to us. The anonymous and faceless identity of the traveller further captivates the reader. He is a stranger who is probably new to the area. The many voyages which he has partaken in have made him tired, worn out, and weary. He travels from place to place, with nothing but his ...