Beat! Beat! Drums!
by Walt Whitman
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, ploughing 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,
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,
So strong you thump O terrible drums – so loud you bugles blow.
Summary of Beat! Beat! Drums!
- Popularity of “Beat! Beat! Drums!”: Walt Whitman, a defining voice in American poetry, penned ‘Beat! Beat! Drums!’ in 1861, amidst the burgeoning American Civil War. The poem isn’t a narrative of battlefields, but a powerful depiction of how war permeates all aspects of life, disrupting peace and demanding attention.
- “Beat! Beat! Drums!” As a Representative of Sorrow: The poem begins as a command – a relentless call to arms signaled by the insistent rhythm of drums and bugles. This isn’t a glorification of war, but an illustration of its all-consuming nature. The sounds aren’t meant to entertain, but to interrupt – to break into places of reverence (the church), learning (the school), and even the most intimate moments (the bridegroom’s happiness, the farmer’s labor). Whitman shows us that war doesn’t simply happen “over there”; it invades every home, every thought, and every activity. The poem powerfully conveys how war silences joy and overrides normal life.
- Major Themes in “Beat! Beat! Drums!”: The poem’s central themes are the disruptive force of war, the pervasiveness of its impact, and the silencing of individual life in the face of collective urgency. It explores how even the most deeply held values and personal moments are overtaken by the demands of conflict. Ultimately, the poem is a stark reminder of war’s universal and devastating reach.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Beat! Beat! Drums!”
Walt Whitman masterfully employs a range of literary devices to create a visceral and compelling portrayal of war’s impact. These techniques aren’t merely ornamental; they are integral to the poem’s meaning and emotional power.
- Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, contributes to the poem’s musicality and emphasis. Notice the repetition of the short ‘i’ sound in lines like “ploughing his field or gathering his grain,” which subtly mimics the insistent beat of the drums.
- Anaphora: The most striking use of anaphora is the repeated phrase “Beat! beat! drums! – blow! bugles! blow!” This repetition acts as a relentless refrain, mirroring the unceasing call to arms and the overwhelming intrusion of war into everyday life. It doesn’t allow the reader – or the imagined citizens within the poem – a moment of respite.
- Alliteration: Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, adds to the poem’s rhythmic quality. An example is “No bargainers’ bargains by day – no brokers or speculators,” where the repetition of the ‘b’ sound creates a sense of urgency and disruption.
- Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, further contributes to the poem’s sonic texture. In the line “Then rattle quicker, heavier drums – you bugles wilder blow,” the repetition of the ‘r’ and ‘l’ sounds creates a dynamic and energetic effect, mirroring the escalating intensity of the war call.
- Imagery: Whitman uses vivid imagery to evoke a sensory experience of war. The opening lines, “Beat! beat! drums! – blow! bugles! blow! / Through the windows – through doors – burst like a ruthless force,” immediately create a sense of invasion and disruption. This imagery isn’t about visual spectacle; it’s about the feeling of being overwhelmed by sound and force.
- Rhetorical Question: The poem features a series of rhetorical questions, such as “Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing?” These questions aren’t seeking answers; they are emphasizing the extent to which war silences and suspends ordinary life. They highlight the impossibility of continuing with normal activities in the face of such a powerful force.
- Symbolism: The drums and bugles themselves are potent symbols. They represent not just the call to arms, but the relentless pressure of war, the disruption of peace, and the suppression of individual voices. They are a constant, insistent reminder of the conflict.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Beat! Beat! Drums!”
Beyond literary devices, Whitman employs several poetic techniques that contribute to the poem’s unique style and impact.
- Free Verse: “Beat! Beat! Drums!” is a prime example of Whitman’s masterful use of free verse. The poem doesn’t adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter, allowing the rhythm to flow naturally and organically. This lack of traditional structure mirrors the chaotic and disruptive nature of war itself.
- Repetition: As discussed earlier, the repetition of “Beat! beat! drums! – blow! bugles! blow!” is a key poetic device. It not only creates a musical effect but also emphasizes the relentless and inescapable nature of war.
- Refrain: The repeated line functions as a refrain, anchoring the poem and reinforcing its central message. It’s a constant reminder of the pervasive and intrusive nature of conflict.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into three stanzas, each comprised of eight lines. While the structure is relatively simple, it provides a framework for the escalating intensity of the war call. Each stanza expands the scope of disruption, moving from specific locations (church, school) to broader aspects of life (commerce, conversation).
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly evocative and useful for discussions about the impact of disruptive events or the loss of normalcy:
“Beat! beat! drums! – blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows – through doors – burst like a ruthless force,
Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation.”
This excerpt captures the poem’s central theme of disruption and the invasion of war into even the most sacred spaces. It can be applied to any situation where a peaceful environment is shattered by unforeseen events.