What emotional response does the speaker exhibit towards the whippoorwill's song?

The emotional response displayed by the speaker towards the whippoorwill's song reflects annoyance and obsession. This can be understood through the stark and repetitive nature of the whippoorwill's call, which often symbolizes restless longing or an overwhelming sense of fixation. The song potentially evokes a mix of emotions where the speaker may find themselves captivated yet irritated by its persistence, suggesting an inability to escape its haunting presence.

This obsession can stem from the song's haunting melody or its reminder of unresolved feelings, creating a complex emotional landscape that combines both fascination and an underlying frustration. The speaker’s fixation on the song emphasizes how sounds in nature can stir deep-seated emotions, leading to a blend of annoyance at its constant presence alongside an obsessive appreciation for its melancholic beauty.

In contrast, responses such as fear and anxiety, joy and elation, or calm and peace do not quite encapsulate the dual feelings of irritation and fixation that are central to the speaker's experience with the whippoorwill's call. These alternatives suggest different emotional landscapes that don't align with the context of being both drawn to and bothered by the song.