The Listeners Questions and Answers
The Listeners
"The Listeners" Literary Analysis and Critical Appreciation
"The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare explores themes of isolation, the supernatural, and the unknown. The poem follows a Traveler who knocks on a door of a seemingly abandoned, eerie house in a...
The Listeners
What are some figures of speech in "The Listeners" by Walter de La Mere?
Figures of speech in "The Listeners" by Walter de La Mare include a metaphor, alliteration, and anaphora. A metaphor compares air to something that can be stirred and shaken. Alliteration,...
The Listeners
Analysis of the phrase "a host of phantom listeners" in the poem 'The Listeners'
The phrase "a host of phantom listeners" in "The Listeners" suggests a mysterious, eerie presence of supernatural beings. These phantoms create an atmosphere of suspense and the unknown, emphasizing...
The Listeners
What are some symbols in Walter De La Mare's "The Listeners"?
In "The Listeners," Walter De La Mare uses several symbols to convey deeper meanings. The door symbolizes the boundary between the living and the dead, suggesting a separation between two worlds. The...
The Listeners
The mood and atmosphere in "The Listeners" created by the poet through suspense, drama, and eerie elements
The mood and atmosphere in "The Listeners" are created through suspense, drama, and eerie elements. The poet uses descriptive language, such as "phantom listeners," "empty house," and "silence surged...
The Listeners
The significance and symbolism of "iron on stone" in Walter de la Mare's "The Listeners."
In Walter de la Mare's "The Listeners," the phrase "iron on stone" symbolizes the stark, cold reality and the futility of the Traveller's visit. It emphasizes the eerie silence and the lack of human...
The Listeners
Walter de la Mare's use of mystery, the supernatural, and poetic devices in "The Listeners"
Walter de la Mare utilizes mystery, the supernatural, and poetic devices in "The Listeners" to create an eerie atmosphere. The poem's mysterious setting and unanswered questions about the listener's...
The Listeners
What does the poet mean by the "world of men" in "The Listeners"?
In "The Listeners," "the world of men" refers to the realm of living humans, contrasting with the spirit world. This division highlights the isolation and lack of communication between the two...
The Listeners
The meaning and effect of the phrase "the silence surged softly backwards" in "The Listeners"
The phrase "the silence surged softly backwards" in "The Listeners" creates an image of silence filling the space left by the Traveller's departure. It emphasizes the stillness and eerie atmosphere...
The Listeners
Description of the atmosphere in the poem "The Listeners"
The atmosphere in "The Listeners" is eerie and mysterious. The poem creates a sense of isolation and suspense as the Traveller knocks on a door in a moonlit forest, receiving no response from the...
The Listeners
Setting and House Descriptions in "The Listeners"
In Walter de la Mare's poem "The Listeners," the setting is an eerie, isolated house in a forest, described with minimal yet evocative details. The house is surrounded by a "starred and leafy sky"...
The Listeners
What is referred to as "that voice from the world of men" in "The Listeners"?
"That voice from the world of men" in "The Listeners" refers to the voice of the traveler who repeatedly calls out, "Is there anybody there?" The house is inhabited by phantom listeners, likely...
The Listeners
Who is the traveller expecting to meet in the house in "The Listeners"?
The traveler in "The Listeners" is expecting to meet a group of people in a specific house, as indicated by his repeated knocking and his statement, "Tell them I came, and no one answered, that I...
The Listeners
"The Listeners" Summary and Lesson
Walter de la Mare's poem "The Listeners" centers on a mysterious encounter between a traveler and an unresponsive, possibly supernatural, audience within an isolated house. The poem's title...
The Listeners
What message does the traveler leave in "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare?
The message the traveler leaves in Walter de la Mare's "The Listeners" is that he came to the house as promised but received no answer. Despite the eerie and silent setting, the traveler states,...
The Listeners
In "The Listeners," why does the traveller say "Tell them I came, and no one answered, that I kept my word"?
The traveller says "Tell them I came, and no one answered, that I kept my word" to highlight the clash between certainty and uncertainty. His words emphasize his commitment in an ambiguous world,...
The Listeners
Symbolism of "Grey Eyes" in Walter De La Mare's "The Listeners"
In Walter De La Mare's "The Listeners," the symbolism of "grey eyes" represents mystery and the supernatural. The color grey often evokes a sense of ambiguity and otherworldliness, fitting the poem's...
The Listeners
In "The Listeners," how did the traveller feel repeatedly knocking on the door?
In "The Listeners," the traveler feels frustrated as he repeatedly knocks on the door and receives no answer. He stands "perplexed and still," sensing the stillness of the spirits inside the house....
The Listeners
Why is Walter de La Mare's poem titled "The Listeners" and not "The Traveller"?
The poem is titled "The Listeners" because the focus is on the "phantom listeners," whose mysterious presence creates intrigue and drama. The Traveller serves as a conduit for the audience to...
The Listeners
Why are the horse's hooves described as "plunging" in De la Mare's "The Listeners"?
The description of the horse's hooves as "plunging" in "The Listeners" creates a vivid and unexpected final image, contrasting with the horse's earlier placid presence. This choice of word suggests...
The Listeners
Which word is repeated in "The Listeners," and what is its impact?
The word "silence" is repeated in "The Listeners" to emphasize the eerie and mysterious atmosphere of the poem. It bookends the poem, highlighting the strange, unresponsive nature of the house's...
The Listeners
What is the significance of the bird in "The Listeners"?
The bird in "The Listeners" symbolizes nature's disturbance and the presence of life in an otherwise silent and serene setting. The traveler's loud knock and call shatter the peace, startling the...
The Listeners
Why is "Traveller" capitalized in "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare?
"Traveller" is capitalized in "The Listeners" to emphasize the character's importance and singularity. It functions as a proper name, designating the protagonist in a specific and significant role....
The Listeners
What type of house is depicted in Walter de la Mere's "The Listeners"?
In "The Listeners," the house is depicted as eerie and isolated, standing alone in a forest. It appears to be at least two stories tall, with a turret, suggesting an imposing structure reminiscent of...
The Listeners
Analyze the concept of meter in "The Listeners" by Walter De La Mare.
Walter De La Mare employs a unique approach to meter in "The Listeners," using common meter with alternating iambic tetrameter and trimeter lines but frequently diverging from this pattern. He...
The Listeners
Contrast the "phantom listeners" with the living beings in "The Listeners."
In "The Listeners," the primary distinction between the "phantom listeners" and the living beings is indicated by the title. The listeners are quiet, characterized by "stillness," whereas the...
The Listeners
Why do you like the poem "The Listeners"?
The poem "The Listeners" is appreciated for its mysterious and intriguing nature, akin to a mini-horror story without being overdone. Its simplicity and tactful eeriness—highlighted by the dark...
The Listeners
How can I write a creative piece based on "The Listeners" by De la Mare?
To write a creative piece based on "The Listeners," focus on the poem's mood and explore imaginative storylines. Consider why the traveler visits, what past promises might have been made, and the...
The Listeners
Is "The Listeners" a poem of magical realism? Discuss.
"The Listeners" is not typically classified as a poem of magical realism, a genre characterized by blending magical elements with realistic settings, often found in Latin American fiction. However,...
The Listeners
What is the critical appreciation of the poem "Listeners" by Walter de la Mare?
"The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare creates a haunting atmosphere through its language and rhythm. The poem evokes feelings of loneliness and anxiety, using words like "dark," "empty," and...
The Listeners
How can the themes of "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare be presented using SlideShare?
To present the themes of Walter de la Mare's "The Listeners" using SlideShare, focus on three main themes: isolation, silence, and strangeness. Highlight the isolation of the "lone traveler" as he...
The Listeners
What does the poem "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare imply about the house's inhabitants?
The poem "The Listeners" implies that the house's inhabitants are ghosts or phantom presences from previous residents. The traveler encounters "a host of phantom listeners" who are not human and...
The Listeners
Why is the action in "The Listeners" set during a moonlit night instead of the day?
The action in "The Listeners" is set during a moonlit night to enhance the poem's eerie and ominous atmosphere. Nighttime often evokes fear and mystery, as darkness can disturb people more than...
The Listeners
How does the horse show restlessness in Walter de la Mare's poem "The Listeners"?
In Walter de la Mare's poem "The Listeners," the horse shows restlessness through its actions. Initially, it "champed the grass" on the forest floor, suggesting it senses something unusual. As the...
The Listeners
Which words or phrases in "The Listeners" indicate overgrown plants?
The poem "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare uses phrases like "forest's ferny floor," "leaf-fringed sill," and "champed the grasses" to indicate overgrown plants. These descriptions suggest an...
The Listeners
Who are 'the listeners' and why are they named so?
"The listeners" in the poem are ambiguous entities, possibly ghosts, animals, or the natural world, residing in an abandoned house. They are named "listeners" because they silently hear the...
The Listeners
The use of detailed descriptions and techniques to evoke an uncanny and supernatural atmosphere in "The Listeners"
In "The Listeners," Walter de la Mare uses detailed descriptions and techniques to evoke an uncanny and supernatural atmosphere. The poem describes a mysterious, silent house in a moonlit forest,...
The Listeners
The traveler's destination in Walter De la Mare's "The Listeners."
The traveler in Walter De la Mare's "The Listeners" is seeking to fulfill a promise by visiting a mysterious, possibly abandoned house. He knocks on the door and calls out, but receives no response...
The Listeners
Why did the traveller return to the house in The Listeners?
The traveler returns to the house to fulfill a promise to meet someone, as indicated by his words, "Tell them I came, and no one answered, That I kept my word." Walter De la Mare leaves the specifics...
The Listeners
What information is omitted in "The Listeners" by Walter De la Mare, and what does this reveal about the traveler?
The poem "The Listeners" omits specific details about the traveler, such as his name, age, appearance, and the promise he kept by visiting the house. It also leaves out information about the house's...
The Listeners
When and where does the action in "The Listeners" take place?
The action in "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare takes place at night in a remote forest. The traveler arrives on horseback at an isolated house with a "ferny floor" and a "leafy sky" above,...
The Listeners
Explain the wave image in Walter De La Mare's "The Listeners" line: "And how the silence surged softly backward /...
The wave imagery in Walter De La Mare's "The Listeners" illustrates how silence reclaims its space after being briefly interrupted. As the stranger departs, the silence "surged softly backward," akin...
The Listeners
How can I analyze the poem "The Listeners" in an essay?
To analyze "The Listeners" in an essay, focus on its themes of isolation and discomfort. The poem depicts a traveler encountering an empty house in a secluded, natural setting, suggesting it is...
The Listeners
Why do poets, like Walter de la Mare in "The Listeners," leave many unanswered questions in their poems?
Poets like Walter de la Mare often leave unanswered questions in their poems to engage readers more actively, allowing them to explore various interpretations and possibilities. This open-endedness...
The Listeners
How do we determine the age and occupancy of the house in "The Listeners"?
The age and occupancy of the house in "The Listeners" are inferred through descriptive details. The house is suggested to be old due to features like a turret and stone paving, reminiscent of older...
The Listeners
Create a short prequel or sequel to "The Listeners."
To create a prequel to "The Listeners," imagine the traveler's motivation for visiting the mysterious house. Perhaps he is fulfilling a promise to a deceased relative or seeking closure with...
The Listeners
Which parts of the plot - Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution - are present or absent...
The poem "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare contains only the rising action and climax of a plot, omitting the exposition, falling action, and resolution. The rising action occurs when the Traveler...
The Listeners
How can a creative dialogue between two ghosts in "The Listeners" explain the traveler's visit?
I recommend a comedy for your dialogue. I also recommend that you base the ghosts in reality by using two funny friends' personalities as the ghosts' personalities.