Question

Read the following poem and answer the question that follows.

"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.

In one paragraph of at least three to five sentences, analyze the tone and imagery used in the lines in bold. Identify the mood the author intended to create with this imagery, as well as the connotations used in the words "solemn," "quiet," and "peaceful." Use proper spelling and grammar.

Answer 1

The answer is as follows.

Step-by-step explanation:

Whitman wrote this poem at the beginning of the Civil War. Whitman uses the drums and bugles as symbols of the war itself. In this stanza he calls forth for mobilization.

The solemn church, meaning a place of peace and worship should be rattled, congregation ought to be moved.

A bridegroom cannot be quiet and enjoy the fruits of love, he must go to war.

A farmer, whose life is considered peaceful, should not have that peace.

Nobody is sparred from the incessant drumming. War affects everyone and Whitman stresses this in this stanza.

Answer 2

The sounds of war can be heard in this poem. These sounds are carried by the drums and bugles and it reminds us there is a turbulence of war. The instruments symbolize the war message.

The poem is noticeable for its addressed message and the people it was addressed. The speaker mentions inanimate objects, like drums and bugles and he personifies these objects with calling them "you".