aaa
...ayer touches the “swift keys” (6) of an organ. The frequent consonance of the s creates a screeching tone, further enhancing the harsh sounds of war. On the same account, the s also emulates the whistling harshness of an organ. The line “Startles the villages with strange alarms”(4) shows how consonance of the s is used to compare the tone of a gun and an organ. The comparison of the organ and guns creates the sights and sounds of warfare as deterrence from future conflict. Considering the sights and sounds associated with war, Longfellow next explores the horrors of past wars. Once again, Longfellow uses an abundance of sound imagery to describe war over many ages and lands. The caesura between “The cries of agony”(10) and “the endless groan” (10) provides emphasis on the enduring pain of war. Next, Longfellow mentions past rallying cries of war. For instance, he alludes to the ringing of the ‘Saxon Hammer”(13), the far off sound of the “Tarter Gong”(16), and the wild beat of the “Aztec war drums”(20) to show how war transcends time and culture. The final use of sound imagery is the transition in stanza seven. Here, images of “bursting shells”(25), “rattling musketry”(26), and “clashing blades”(26) serve as a reminder of the sound of modern warfare. In addition, the caesuras in lines twenty-five and twenty-seven stress the lasting effect of warfare on the future. Longfellow next depicts the horrors and destruction of past wars. Longfellow first describes the destruction of the towns as being “sacked”(21) and “burning”(21). Then, he shows the indignity of the invaders with the line “soldiers’ revels in the midst of pillage” (23). Finally, Longfellow shows the resulting hardship of “famine”(24) ensued in “Beleaguered towns”(24) long after the battle ceased. The destruction and horrors of past wars provides insight into future conflicts reaffirming the need for peace. The final division in the poem is a call for peace. Here, Longfellow uses short vowel sounds, and compact s and t sounds to create a light and noble image of peace. An example of the light s and t is the line “and like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations”(43). In contrast, Longfellow uses the d and r sounds to create the slow, vile sounds associated with war. The line “Down the Dark Future, through long generations,”(41) displays the contrasting usage of vowels and consonants. In addition to the structural placement of words, Longfellow also uses Biblical allusions to aid in his case for peace. The allusion to Cain and Abel represents justice. Longfellow wishes just as Cain was cursed for his jealous murder of his brother Abel, any nation which attacks another...