The listeners in Walter De La Mare's "The Listeners" are often considered a representation of:

The correct answer is 'An ethereal, ghostly presence that transcends human comprehension'.

Key Points

• The listeners in The Listeners are often interpreted as ghostly or supernatural entities, existing beyond the physical world.
• Their silence and lack of response to the traveler’s repeated calls create an eerie and mysterious atmosphere, emphasizing the unanswered nature of the encounter.
• They symbolize the unknown, a presence that cannot be fully comprehended by the human mind, evoking themes of isolation, mystery, and the supernatural.
• The listeners do not engage with the traveler, further amplifying the sense of an ethereal, ghostly realm that transcends the human experience.
• Their existence is not tied to any tangible or earthly form, highlighting the presence of forces beyond human understanding and control.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.