Analysis Of The Poem O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart!
Full Answer
What does “O Captain my Captain” mean?
Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!” is an extended metaphor mourning the death of Abraham Lincoln in 1865 at the close of the American Civil War. The speaker, a sailor, reports to his captain that the ship has completed its journey. They have returned from a successful voyage. The crowd is celebrating on the shore to welcome home the captain.
Why did Walt Whitman write O Captain my Captain?
My Captain!’ in memory of deceased American President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The civil war occurred during his lifetime with Whitman a staunch supporter of unionists. Walt Whitman’s masterpiece, ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ moves with a sheer melancholic tone throughout its entirety.
How many quatrains are in O Captain my Captain?
The poem, ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ consists of 3 stanzas in totality having 2 quatrains in each. A quatrain is a stanza consisting of four lines. Besides, this poem is an elegy. An elegy is known as a mourning poem.
What type of poem is my captain?
My Captain!” as an Elegy: This poem is written in the form of an elegy meaning a funeral song. Whitman used very strong figurative language throughout the poem to express his respect and to mourn the loss of Abraham Lincoln.
What does the line Oh Captain My Captain mean?
"O Captain! My Captain!" implies a comparison between the death of a ship's captain and the death of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. A captain is the leader of a ship, just as the president is the leader of the U.S. The poem uses the death of the captain as a way of mourning Lincoln's death.
How many lines in O Captain My Captain?
eight linesThe poem has three stanzas, each of which consists of eight lines. While Whitman is known to neglect both rhyme scheme and meter, O Captain!
Who is address to the line you have fallen cold and dead?
Lines 13-16 It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. The sailor takes the dead captain in his arms and calls the captain “father,” although the man probably isn't really his father. Still, the speaker has intense feelings for this man, whose head is on his arm.
What does the line O Captain My Captain rise up and hear the bells mean?
Answer: a) The speaker wants the Captain to rose while hearing the bells. b) The speaker tells that the victory of the Civil War is being celebrated with bells, bugles and flowers while you, Captain are lying dead on the deck of the ship.
What is the poetic form of the poem O Captain My Captain?
My Captain!” as an Elegy: This poem is written in the form of an elegy meaning a funeral song. Whitman used very strong figurative language throughout the poem to express his respect and to mourn the loss of Abraham Lincoln.
What is the meaning of fearful trip?
A ship's trip can be fearful because there are many natural and man-made dangers in the sea. But the "fearful trip" that Whitman is referring to is the Civil War, during which he'd volunteered as a nurse in the army hospitals.
Why the captain is called Dear father?
Answer. Explanation: In the poem, Lincoln is referred to as the captain who steered the American ship from civil war. In line thirteen, the speaker calls the captain "dear father" to show the bond between the speaker and the dead man which is so deep that the line is blurred between the leader and the family.
What does the ship symbolize in O captain?
The ship in Whitman's poem symbolizes the United States. Just as a ship endures turbulent winds while on the water, the country survived the hardships and sacrifices of the Civil War. The speaker says that they won the prize that they sought during their voyage.
What is meant by the ship has weathered every rack?
The “captain” represents Lincoln , and the “ship” represents the Civil War; Lincoln was the commander of the Civil War much as a captain would be of his ship. In line two, when it says that “the ship has weather'd every rack,” it is referring to all the lives that were lost during the War.
What does the poet mean by mournful tread?
The poet's grief is accentuated by the contrasting celebrations of victory and lamentations of death. The poet recognizes the importance of victory, calling out "Exult O shores, and ring O bells!", but his "mournful tread" prevents him from truly taking part in the festivities. The image of the dead captain, "O heart!
What does "o Captain my captain" mean?
Here, the “ship” is a symbol of the civil war fought for liberating the slaves. According to the poet, the ship is sailing nearer to the shore, meaning the war is about to end.
Who wrote "My Captain"?
My Captain!’ was authored by famous American poet Walt Whitman. It alluded to President Abraham Lincoln’s death in 1865. The poem was a part of his controversially famous collection of poems “Leaves of Grass”. The poetic collection continuously was revised to add new poetic pieces from Walt Whitman as a result.
What literary device does Walt Whitman use?
Literary Devices. Most of Walt Whitman’s poems use repetition and rhythm for rendering a spellbinding poetic beauty. He uses anaphora constantly as several verses begin with the same word/ phrase. For instance ‘When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomers’ uses ‘when’ 4 times to render a lyrical sound.
What did Walt Whitman do to become the voice of the nation?
Speaking in the language of ordinary men, Walt Whitman aspired to become the voice of the nation, speaking on the behest of the American population at the time . As a result, he has recorded the events, moods, and spirit of the time magnificently. Explore O Captain! My Captain! 1 Summary. 2 O Captain!
What themes does Whitman use in his poem?
He may use inanimate objects for that end. Apart from that, Whitman uses the themes of victory, lamentation, grief, sadness, and loss in his poem, ‘O Captain! My Captain!’. Though this poem concerns the theme of victory, it contains a sad note on the death of Lincoln.
What is Walt Whitman's masterpiece?
Walt Whitman’s masterpiece, ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ moves with a sheer melancholic tone throughout its entirety. He was the new-age poet, poised with breaking away from the shackles of established poetic practices and forming new ones just as America is created for a different purpose, tearing away from the yoke of colonialism ...
What is the mood of the poem after Lincoln's death?
After his death, the nation is fatherless. In this agony, the poet writes the verses. However, the mood of the poem is not gloomy. Even if they have lost Lincoln, the dream Lincoln has seen is not lost.
Who is the captain in the poem?
On a figurative level, the opening lines introduce the metaphorical comparisons in the poem: The Captain is Abraham Lincoln.
When was My Captain by Walt Whitman published?
My Captain!". by Walt Whitman was published in November 1865, about seven months after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. This is significant, as we'll get into later. It was an immediate success with the public, and many students had to memorize it. Contributing to this is the poem's basic structure—couplets with a standard meter and end-rhymes.
Why does the speaker implores his Captain to get up?
The speaker implores his Captain to get up because everything's for him. The bells, the music, the flowers, the wreaths and the flag are all for him. The gathered crowd is there to celebrate the Captain, and they can't wait to see him. The speaker shows denial by asking someone he knows is dead to "rise up".
What does the crewman call his father?
The crewman now refers to his Captain as "dear father", showing he viewed him as much more than a commanding officer. His denial continues as he says the Captain's death must be a dream. As a metaphor, Lincoln is being called a "father"—he was more than a leader as well, as America looked to him as a father-figure.
How many times does the refrain "fallen cold and dead" appear in the poem?
The refrain, "fallen cold and dead", appears three times in the poem. It highlights the speaker's emotional journey as he deals with his Captain's death. It also brings the reader along, creating and then releasing the tension over whether this tragedy has really happened.
Why is the heart repeated in the fifth line?
The repetition of "heart" in the fifth line works to establish the speaker's grief over the Captain's death. Figuratively, it could represent the nation's initial reaction to Lincoln's death.
What does "o captain my captain" mean?
Walt Whitman's poem "O Captain! My Captain!" uses the metaphor of a ship's captain who has died to represent the death of President Abraham Lincoln at the end of the U.S. Civil War. Mourning the death of the captain is a way of expressing grief over the traumatic loss of the president.
What is the apostrophe in the poem "O Captain"?
The poem uses a device called apostrophe, the invocation or calling upon of a person, thing, place, or idea. This is often signified through the use of the word ''O,'' as in ''O Captain!!'' and ''O heart!''
How many times does the poem "The Captain has fallen cold and dead" say the loss of the ship?
The Captain has ''fallen cold and dead,'' the poem states three times, emphasizing the loss to the ship. By comparison, the U.S. was facing the death of its leader, Lincoln.
What is the third stanza of Captain?
The third stanza returns to describing the Captain. In contrast to the noisy responses of the crowd, the Captain's body is lifeless, ''pale and still,'' with ''no pulse nor will.'' Though the voyage is over and successful, the poetic speaker continues to mourn the death of the Captain.
What is the first line of Whitman's poem?
Several lines from Whitman's poem have become famous. The first line and title, ''O Captain! My Captain!,'' is a powerful call to remember leaders. Much as the poem is a remembrance of the passing of Lincoln, it is also a celebration of victory and the conclusion of the Civil War. This is clear from the first stanza, which states that ''the prize we sought is won.'' The poem's most memorable quote about victory, however, might be from the last stanza, which states ''From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won.''
About the Poet Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman was born in 1819 in West Hills. He was a poet, journalist, etc. Walter is one of the most influential American poets whose works were very controversial at the time.
About the Poem O, Captain! My Captain!
The poem “O Captain! My Captain” by Walt Whitman was written in 1865. The poem has got historical or civil war background. The complete poem is a tribute to Abraham Lincoln. The poem has gained huge popularity. The poem is emphasizing the grief and sorrow of the sailor. The poem was first published in the Sequel to Drum-Taps.
Settings of the Poem O, Captain! My Captain!
The poem “O Captain! My captain” written by Walt Whitman was shown to be set up in a ship. In the poem, it was portrayed in a ship but for the writer or the poet it was more than anything, he was talking about America and the population of America who was waiting eagerly for the victory.
The poem O, Captain! My Captain!
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
Analysis Of The Poem O, Captain! My Captain!
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
Alliteration
Alliteration refers to the use of two or more words that begin with the same sound in close proximity to one another.
Personification
the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.
What is the meaning of "My Captain" by Walt Whitman?
In the poem, it was portrayed in a ship but for the writer or the poet it was more than anything, he was talking about America and the population of America who was waiting eagerly for the victory.
What is the poem "The Captain" about?
The poem by Walt Whitman is a tribute to the President or the captain of the ship Abraham Lincoln. The poet admires his captain for the victory they have won together. At the very beginning, the poem portrays the happy faces, as if the poet was talking to his captain but then suddenly the tunes change and we get to know that the captain is dead. He admires him a lot. Walter was in such a sock that it was impossible for him to get out of the shock of his master’s death. He wished if his master could wake up again to see how America’s population was waiting for them to celebrate, how they have hosted the flag, the bells, the rings, etc. He was happy but his grief was portrayed in the poem. The people were celebrating but he left the ship with all sorrow.
What does the sailor want his captain to see in the second stanza?
In the second stanza, the sailor request his captain to wake up and see how the crowd was rejoicing for his victory, how the flag was flung, the bouquets, and ribbon’s wreaths. He wanted his captain to wake up and see the eager faces of the people waiting for them. And then all of a sudden his tunes change, he feels sad and prays if it was a dream that his captain was lying cold and dead.
What does the sailor say to the captain in the first stanza?
In the very first stanza, the sailor informs out of joy that their ship has crossed every dangerous path and the path was almost to get completed. He says to the captain that “price we sought is won”. As the ship was near the port the sailor says about the bells and the crowd of the people exulting.
What does the ship or the dangerous journey symbolize?
The ship or the end of the dangerous journey symbolizes the end of the civil war. The poet refers to a free country or end of the war or a state in peace.
What does the speaker report to his captain?
The speaker, a sailor, reports to his captain that the ship has completed its journey. They have returned from a successful voyage. The crowd is celebrating on the shore to welcome home the captain.
What pleads the captain to rise up as people erupt in joy and wait to have a look at?
The speaker pleads the captain to rise up as people erupt in joy and wait to have a look at their captain.
What is the difference between the first four lines and the last four lines in each stanza?
As the first quatrain speaks of the people’s joy and celebration , it has a rather regular metrical pattern, suggesting a rhythm of life there. But the next quatrain mourns the loss at the captain’s death. That is why it’s lacking the rhythm.
What is the poem "The Ship" about?
The poet here uses the ship as an extended metaphor for the Union who won the Civil War but lost its leader (the captain) in the end. The grief of the entire nation after the unfortunate death of the leader is caught up in Whitman’s poem.
What is an end stopped line?
An end-stopped line is a line of verse that ends with a punctuation. All 24 lines in this poem are end-stopped lines.
What is an apostrophe in literature?
An apostrophe in literature is an exclamatory address to a person who is dead or absent or to a thing which is personified.
Who wrote "Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead"?
Summary of “O Captain! My Captain!”. Popularity: “O Captain! My Captain!” a renowned poem written by Walt Whitman, was one of the 18 poems written with the background of the Civil War in America . It was first published in 1865 in a pamphlet named Sequel to Drum-Taps.
Why did Whitman use figurative language in the poem?
Whitman used very strong figurative language throughout the poem to express his respect and to mourn the loss of Abraham Lincoln. The expression of mourning and grief mark the center of the poem. However, what stays in the mind of the readers is the speaker ’s passionate expression of his love for his dead captain.
What is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same lines of the poetry?
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sounds in the same lines of the poetry such as the use of /f/ in “flag is flung” and the sound of /s/ in “safe and sound.”. Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds such as /g/ sound in “flag is flung.”.
How many lines are in a double quatrain?
Double Quatrain: Quatrain refers to four line stanza whereas Double Quatrain refers to eight line stanza. There are eight lines in each stanza in this poem, but the first four and last four lines are embedded together with different meters.
Why did Whitman use personification?
Personification: Whitman has used personification to give human qualities to lifeless objects. He has personified the walk of the speaker as a “mournful tread” because he cannot live without his captain. He has also personified shores in line 21 where it is stated, “Exult, O Shores!” As if the shores are humans and they are going to blow trumpets of victory.
How many stanzas are there in a poem?
The analysis of some of the poetic devices is given below. Stanza: A stanza is a poetic form of some lines. In this poem, there are three stanzas with each stanza having eight verses.
What is the purpose of the victory line?
These lines can be used to celebrate the victory to congratulate a captain, leader, or group leader to pay tributes for his leadership qualities.
What is the metaphor for the poem "O Captain"?
The poem is an extended metaphor comparing President Lincoln, who guided the country through the rough course of the Civil War, to a captain of the a ship. Each stanza of the poem covers three major steps in the grieving process: disbelief, denial, and acceptance. “O Captain!
What do the next three lines tell the captain to do?
The next three lines tell the captain to "rise up" and join in because it is for him: "for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills; for you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding; for you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning.".
What is the poem "My Captain" about?
My Captain!” became one of Whitman’s most famous poems, one that he would read at the end of his famous lecture about the Lincoln assassination. Whitman became so identified with the poem that late in life he remarked, “Damn My Captain...I’m almost sorry I ever wrote the poem.”.
Who did Walt Whitman call the Captain?
Mr. Keating tells his students that if they are daring they can call him O' Captain. Think about who Walt Whitman calls the Captain: Abraham Lincoln. This may a bit presumptuous of Mr. Keating to compare himself to President Lincoln. On the other hand, Mr. Keating attended Helton and knows what it is like to be away from parents, friends, and family for a long time. He may be offering to be the father figure for the students. Whitman states that Lincoln steered the country through tough times. Keaton tries to steer his students in the right direction.
Who is the captain of the ship in the poem "The Journey"?
IMPORTANT: The poem is an extended metaphor with the ship representing the country and the captain is Abraham Lincoln steering the ship. The journey they have taken was the Civil War and now the ship is safe. The Confederacy surrendered at Appomattox roughly ten days earlier.
Who guided the boat during the Civil War?
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln guided the boat, but, with his death, now no one was guiding the boat. The country was in denial. They could not believe it and Walt Whitman captured that moment in his poem. How he felt related to how most people felt about the death of Lincoln.
What is the characterization of Lincoln?
Characterization: We see characterization in the poem as Lincoln is shown as a strong man and a leader. He has guided the country through the Civil War. Conflict: The narrator has a conflict with the death of Abraham Lincoln. He has looked up to Lincoln as the President guide the country through the Civil War and now can't believe ...