After listening to Walt Whitman’s Beat! Beat! Drum! performed by the speaker I received a dubious impression. The free verse used in the poem reminds a quickness of movement that reflects the poet’s enthusiasm, fervor, and passion. There are three stanzas, all of which repeat the same line “Beat! beat! drums! – blow! bugles! blow!” (PoetrySpoken.com. (2014). To my mind, this line emphasizes the rhythm of pounding drums. This rhythmic pulse of this line highlights the content of the poem: it resembles the recruitment of the population to arms.
To my mind, the steady beat of drums is supposed to create the atmosphere of terror of the upcoming war and wake even the dead. It sounds in schools, churches, courtrooms, and houses disturbing brides and grooms, farmers, singers, takers, and sleepers (PoetrySpoken.com). The beating of drums is a symbol of war, and it provokes very passionately, even extremist reactions among the population. I think the rhythm of the beat suggests that everyday life will no longer continue because of the fury of war. In this sentiment, it could be interpreted as a patriotic call to action. Because the author insists that the sounds of battle should interfere with everyday life, people should protect their country.
As a result of using free verse patterns and beating rhyme, the theme of war was vividly transmitted to the reader or listener. Beating, moving, and quick pounding sounds signified a call to action. A peculiar sound of drums and bugles strived to unite all the diversity of life into one army to protect the homeland. Lawyers, students, priests, farmers, and others were encouraged to put on the same uniform and fight against their rivals. On the other hand, these elements created an atmosphere of terror.
Work Cited
“Beat! Beat! Drums! by Walt Whitman | Ep #63.” YouTube, uploaded by PoetrySpoken.com, 2014.