'Beat ! Beat! Drums!' by Walt Whitman
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BEAT! beat! drums!--Blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows--through doors--burst like a ruthless force,
Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation;
Into the school where the scholar is studying;
Leave not the bridegroom quiet--no happiness must he have now with
his bride;
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, plowing his field or gathering his
grain;
So fierce you whirr and pound, you drums--so shrill you bugles blow.
Beat! beat! drums!--Blow! bugles! blow!
Over the traffic of cities--over the rumble of wheels in the streets:
Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? No sleepers
must sleep in those beds;10
No bargainers' bargains by day--no brokers or speculators--Would they
continue?
Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing?
Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the
judge?
Then rattle quicker, heavier drums--you bugles wilder blow.
Beat! beat! drums!--Blow! bugles! blow!
Make no parley--stop for no expostulation;
Mind not the timid--mind not the weeper or prayer;
Mind not the old man beseeching the young man;
Let not the child's voice be heard, nor the mother's entreaties;
Make even the trestles to shake the dead, where they lie awaiting the
hearses,20
So strong you thump, O terrible drums--so loud you bugles blow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Beat! Beat! Drums! by Walt Whitman
Have you ever read a poem that stirred your emotions, that made you feel like you were part of a revolution? Walt Whitman's "Beat! Beat! Drums!" is such a poem. Written during the American Civil War, the poem is a stirring call to arms for the Union soldiers. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices used by Whitman, and the historical context in which the poem was written.
Historical Context
The American Civil War was a defining moment in American history. The war lasted from 1861 to 1865 and resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 soldiers. The war started when the southern states seceded from the Union, citing their right to own slaves as their reason for leaving. The Union, led by President Abraham Lincoln, fought to preserve the Union and to end slavery in America.
Whitman wrote "Beat! Beat! Drums!" in 1861, at the beginning of the war. The poem is a call to arms for the Union soldiers, urging them to leave their daily lives and join the fight. The poem was published in his collection, "Drum-Taps," which was dedicated to the soldiers of the Union army.
Poetic Devices
Whitman uses a variety of poetic devices in "Beat! Beat! Drums!" to create a powerful and evocative poem. Let's take a closer look at some of these devices.
Repetition
The use of repetition is one of the most striking features of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "Beat! Beat! Drums!" is used throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and excitement. The repetition also serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem, which is the call to arms for the Union soldiers.
Metaphor
Whitman uses metaphor to great effect in the poem. The drums are used as a metaphor for the call to arms, and the beating of the drums serves to symbolize the urgency of the situation. The metaphor of the drums also serves to create a sense of unity among the soldiers, as they all respond to the call together.
Imagery
The use of vivid imagery is another powerful technique used by Whitman. The images of the "wild unrest" and the "tramping armies" serve to create a vivid picture of the chaos and excitement of war. The use of sensory details, such as the "smell of the grape-shot" and the "taste of the bayonet," also serve to create a visceral experience for the reader.
Tone
The tone of the poem is urgent and patriotic. Whitman uses language that is meant to inspire and motivate the soldiers to join the fight. The repetition of the phrase "Beat! Beat! Drums!" creates a sense of excitement and urgency, while the use of metaphors and imagery serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem.
Interpretation
"Beat! Beat! Drums!" is a poem that is both a call to arms and a celebration of the American spirit. Whitman's use of repetition, metaphor, imagery, and tone all serve to create a powerful and evocative poem that is still relevant today.
The poem is a celebration of the American spirit, symbolized by the Union soldiers who fought to preserve the Union and to end slavery. The repetition of the phrase "Beat! Beat! Drums!" serves to create a sense of unity among the soldiers, as they all respond to the call together. The use of metaphor and imagery creates a vivid picture of the chaos and excitement of war, while the tone of the poem is urgent and patriotic.
In conclusion, "Beat! Beat! Drums!" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the American Civil War. Whitman's use of poetic devices serves to create a visceral experience for the reader, and the message of the poem is still relevant today. The poem is a celebration of the American spirit, and a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died to preserve the Union and to end slavery.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Beat! Beat! Drums! by Walt Whitman is a classic poem that captures the essence of the American Civil War. This poem is a call to arms, a rallying cry for the Union soldiers to fight for their country. Whitman's use of repetition, imagery, and sound creates a powerful and emotional message that resonates with readers even today.
The poem begins with the line "Beat! Beat! Drums!" which is repeated throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and excitement, as if the drums are calling the soldiers to action. The use of exclamation marks also adds to the urgency and excitement of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "Beat! Beat! Drums!" also creates a sense of unity and solidarity among the soldiers. They are all hearing the same call to action, and they are all responding to it.
Whitman's use of imagery is also powerful in this poem. He describes the drums as "wildly beating" and "blowing bugles." This creates a sense of chaos and confusion, as if the soldiers are being swept up in a frenzy of excitement and emotion. The imagery of the drums and bugles also creates a sense of patriotism and pride. The soldiers are fighting for their country, and they are proud to do so.
The poem also contains a sense of urgency and desperation. Whitman writes, "Make no parley, stop for no expostulation, / Mind not the timid, mind not the weeper or prayer, / Mind not the old man beseeching the young man, / Let not the child's voice be heard, nor the mother's entreaties." This creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the soldiers must act quickly and decisively. They cannot be swayed by the pleas of others, they must focus on their mission and fight for their country.
Whitman's use of sound is also important in this poem. The repetition of the phrase "Beat! Beat! Drums!" creates a rhythm that mimics the sound of the drums. This creates a sense of excitement and energy, as if the soldiers are being swept up in the rhythm of the drums. The use of alliteration in the line "Blow! Bugles! Blow! Set the wild echoes flying" also creates a sense of sound and movement. The alliteration mimics the sound of the bugles, and creates a sense of movement and action.
Overall, Poetry Beat! Beat! Drums! by Walt Whitman is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of the American Civil War. Whitman's use of repetition, imagery, and sound creates a sense of urgency and excitement, as if the soldiers are being called to action. The poem also contains a sense of patriotism and pride, as the soldiers fight for their country. The use of sound and rhythm creates a sense of movement and action, as if the soldiers are being swept up in the rhythm of the drums. This poem is a classic example of Whitman's unique style and his ability to capture the essence of a moment in time.
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