Analysis poem "The Listeners" by Walter De La Mare

Introduction 

Walter de la Mare's poem "The Listeners" creates a mysterious and eerie ambiance, exploring humanity's desire for communication with the mysterious. The poem narrates the story of a solitary wanderer who reaches an empty house at night, taps on the door, but gets no response apart from hidden "listeners" within. Even though the house seems vacant, there is a creepy feeling of someone being there, as if unseen entities are observing from inside, increasing the tension and fear. 

Symbolically, the traveler can symbolize humanity's quest for purpose, eternity, or unattainable answers that will always be beyond grasp. The poem is filled with tension and mystery, mostly brought out through the use of contrasting sound and silence. De la Mare highlights this idea through phrases such as "silence surged softly backward," emphasizing the deep sense of aloneness and helplessness felt by the traveler when confronted with the unknown wonders of nature (De la Mare, 1912). 

Using brief and vivid language, the poem urges readers to consider various interpretations: are the audience ghosts, traces of the past, or just the void of the natural world? Silence may be interpreted as a mirror of the human feelings of loneliness, alienation, or feeling ignored. According to literary critic Mary Ellen Chase, "The Listeners represents the uncertainty and loneliness that people experience when confronted with life's unknowns" (Chase, 1956). 

The lasting impact of "The Listeners" is found in its capacity to engage readers in an unresolved suspense, causing us to ponder the potential outcomes following the traveler's departure and the true identities of the "listeners." De la Mare skillfully creates a setting that, though straightforward and mysterious, uncovers the intricate nature of human longing for comprehension in the presence of life's frequently unresolvable uncertainties. 

References: 

* De la Mare, W. (1912). The Listeners and Other Poems. London: Constable and Company.

 * Chase, M. E. (1956). Walter de la Mare and His Vision. Yale Review. 

* Spender, S. (1961). The Edge of Awareness: Reflections on Poetry and the Supernatural. New York: Random House