1. Write a sentence or two in answer to each of these questions: a. What kind of bird do you think fl ew out of the turret? What sound do you imagine it made?
b. ‘I kept my word’ – what do you think the travelling man had promised to do?
c. Are there listeners on the stairs listening to the man? If so, who or what are they?
d. What do you think are the feelings of the Traveller as he gallops away from the house?
2. This poem has been described as ‘evocative’ – it creates images in your mind as you read it and it produces an emotional response to the Traveller’s sad, lonely
story, especially in the last four lines as he gallops away. With that in mind, suggest a piece of music or a song that could be played in the background in a fi lm version of the poem.
3. Write down your three favourite lines or phrases from the poem.
Try to write your own poetic version of the closing four lines of ‘The Listeners’. It may be diffi cult to improve on this famous ending, but be inspired by them to write the four best lines you can.
