3. Fishermen in the cold sea, …

a. What are ‘fishermen’ symbolic of?
Answer:
‘Fishermen’ symbolise proficient hunters of all kinds. These people have been indiscriminately exploiting nature and Mother Earth for their own vested interests.

b. What message does the poet seem to give in these lines?
Answer:
The message that Neruda wishes to convey is that the desire of man for more and more progress and advancement has done more destruction than development. Man seems to have no concern and care for his brethren.

c. What image does Neruda portray in the last lines?
Answer:
The image that Neruda seems to create in the last lines is one of the incessant sufferings. In order to make life more comfortable, he pays no heed to the sufferings he has to undergo. The men, who gather salt do not look at their hurt palms because they are more busy making life more comfortable for themselves and for their family.

d. What basic idea does the poet empahsise upon?
Answer:
It is the environmental protection through man’s introspection and action.