“O Captain! My Captain!” at the start of the first two stanzas are examples of apostrophe, as is “Exult O shores, and ring O bells!” in the third stanza. The poet refers to the fallen captain as “father,” representing his deep respect for president Lincoln and Lincoln’s role as father of the Union.
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 is an example of apostrophe in O Captain my Captain?
“O Captain! My Captain!” at the start of the first two stanzas are examples of apostrophe, as is “Exult O shores, and ring O bells!” in the third stanza. The poet refers to the fallen captain as “father,” representing his deep respect for president Lincoln and Lincoln’s role as father of the Union.
What does "o Captain my captain" mean?
Who wrote "My Captain"?
What literary device does Walt Whitman use?
What themes does Whitman use in his poem?
What meter does the poet use in the poem?
What is the mood of the poem after Lincoln's death?
What is the focal point of the poem at hand?
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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.
What is the main theme of the poem O Captain My Captain?
The major theme that runs throughout the poem is the death of Abraham Lincoln at the end of the Civil War, which deprived the United States of the great president. Each stanza gives us a clue about the war. Although the fearful trip ends, bells ring, the captain is no more to enjoy the victory.
What does the ship represent in the poem?
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 the irony in the poem O Captain My Captain?
Though the speaker calls out for him and wants to celebrate his victory, the captain is unable to answer, as he has died on his ship on the way home. The irony of the situation is that he managed to protect his ship in battle and return it home safe and sound, yet he is no longer alive to enjoy his victory.
What is the theme of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost?
The main theme of "The Road Not Taken" is making choices. You will make many choices in your life, and those choices can come with many different thoughts about what could have happened if you had chosen differently.
What is the tone of this poem?
To figure out the tone of a poem, understand the writer's attitude toward the subject or the audience. A poem of praise conveys the tone of approval while a satirical poem conveys an ironical tone.
What is an elegy write a note on the poem O Captain My Captain explaining why it has been described as an elegy?
Some elegies mourn a way of life that is gone forever. “O Captain! My Captain!” mourns the tragic death of President Abraham Lincoln. The poem was written in honor of President Lincoln following his assassination, and it also has celebratory passages that mark the end of the Civil War.
What does the word exulting most closely mean?
Ernest Hemingway. William Shakespeare. What does the word “exulting” most closely mean as it is used in line 3? loudly playing music. showing happiness and excitement.
A Summary and Analysis of the Poignant ‘O Captain! My Captain!’
'O Captain My Captain' is one of the famous poems by American poet Walt Whitman. This poem is a memoir depicting his deep admiration for Abraham Lincoln. This Penlighten post gives an analysis of this poem.
O Captain! My Captain! Summary and Analysis | Englicist
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.
O Captain! My Captain! Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary
Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
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 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 meter does the poet use in the poem?
Thereafter, the poet mostly uses the iambic meter in this poem. For instance, the first line is in iambic hexameter. The following two lines are in iambic heptameter. While the second quatrain does not follow a specific metrical scheme.
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.
What is the focal point of the poem at hand?
The speaker ’s coming to terms with the death of his fallen comrade is the focal point of the poem at hand. At the start of the poem, the speaker attempts to come to reality as he observes his dead captain on the deck. Slowly and gradually, he realizes that the change is permanent and life must go, regardless.
In Short
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.
O Captain! My Captain! Explanation
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
O Captain! My Captain! – Into Details
Walt Whitman is regarded as one of America’s most significant 19 th century poets. He wrote the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” in 1865 after the death of Abraham Lincoln, the former American President. The poem is the poet’s tribute to Abraham Lincoln for his role in the American Civil War.
O Captain! My Captain! – Themes
As you already know, Whitman’s poem “O Captain! My Captain!” is an elegy, mourning the death of President Abraham Lincoln at the end of the American Civil War. Through this poem the poet pays a homage to his admired leader and it gives an expression to the nation’s collective grief after the President’s death.
O Captain! My Captain! – Symbols
The poem “O Captain! My Captain!” is an extended metaphor where the ship is the United States itself. Abraham Lincoln guided the nation’s ship as a captain through many storms in the Civil War. But the captain died when the ship returned home safely after accomplishing its mission, i.e., when the war ended and the Union emerged victorious.
O Captain! My Captain! – Literary Devices
An end-stopped line is a line of verse that ends with a punctuation. All 24 lines in this poem are end-stopped lines.
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.
What does the last use of "my captain" mean?
This tragedy will overshadow the greater victory. The last use of "my" Captain shows the speaker forgoing the celebration to continue mourning. He's not ready to live on his own, even though soon, he will have to.
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.
What does the repetition of "heart" in the fifth line mean?
There's a repetition of "my" Captain, emphasizing the feeling the speaker has for his superior. Lines 9-12.
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.
Did the speaker say "my father" or "my captain"?
The fact remains that the Civil War was successfully fought. Again, the speaker says "my" Captain and adds "my" father. There's no doubt the speaker has lost much more than a commanding officer. The Captain has seen him through a difficult trip; his judgment has saved the speaker and the rest of the crew.
Background
Lincoln's presidency (1861-1865) coincided with one of the most divisive times in American history. The country entered into the Civil War, encountered years of bloody fighting, saw the end of slavery in the nation, and ended the war with a lingering bitterness.
Setting and Symbolism
''O Captain! My Captain!'' utilizes a series of symbols related to sailing. There is the Captain, who is a reference to Lincoln. There are also references to the ''keel'' and ''deck,'' parts of the ship which has returned to ''port.'' The ship has ''weather'd'' a difficult voyage, a symbol for the bloody Civil War.
Themes
Loss, grief, and victory are central themes in ''O Captain! My Captain.''
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 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.
Who wrote "My Captain"?
My captain! is written by Walt Whitman, regarded as one of America’s greatest poets known for their artistry and exceptional skill in the written words. The poem O Captain! My captain! refers the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the death of Abraham Lincoln in 1865. He was assassinated. The poem creates a melancholy mood as its theme is ...
How does the speaker address the captain in the poem?
The way the speaker addresses the captain in the poem reveals that he was greatly attached to him and had great regard for him and his abilities in leading the war. He also calls him as a fatherly figure that shows that the Captain might have played a great role in shaping his life as well. 8.
What does the speaker want the captain to hear?
2. The speaker wants the Captain to hear the bells ringing and the bugle trills and see the flag being waved, the flowers and the cheering crowds who have come to welcome the captain . 3. Firstly, it is end of the battle and secondly it is referred to as the life of the captain or the victory completed. 4.
Why does Whitman use the symbol of captain, a boat and a journey at sea?
Whitman chooses to use the symbol of captain, a boat and a journey at sea for this poem because this aptly describes the journey of life, where joys and sorrows go hand in hand. Sacrifices are needed for victory, and in fairness of life a person responsible for victories may not enjoy them. 10.
What is the mood in the first stanza of the poem?
1. The mood shown in the first stanza in the beginning is happy and cheerful. The trip is almost over and the ship is returning to port. The people are cheerful and waiting to give a grand welcome to the Captain. The stanza changes to despair and gloomy after four lines showing the grief due to loss of the captain.
What is the poem "My Captain" about?
My Captain! by Walt Whitman is a reflection of the mourning of the people as well as the poet for the death of Abraham Lincoln in 1865. O Captain! My Captain! – Analysis – First Stanza. O Captain! My Captain! was written in the year 1865 and later added to famous collection Leaves of Grass. Walt Whitman, who is known for his free verse, uses rhyme ...
What did Whitman wish for the Captain's death?
After throwing great impetus on the crowd and the preparations made on the shore to celebrate the victory, Whitman through the speaker wishes that the death of the Captain is a dream. Abraham Lincoln had a premonition about his death three days before the assassination.
What is the rhyme scheme of the first stanza of the poem?
The rhyme scheme varies to each of the stanzas and the first stanza rhyme scheme is AABCDEFE. Throughout the poem Whitman never directly refers to Abraham Lincoln but is clearly evident from the subject matter that the poem is written in his memory.
Why does Walt Whitman use the word "father" in the poem?
Walt Whitman uses the word “father” to show his love and respect towards Abraham Lincoln. He claims to be the one who will mourn for the loss while the crowd will feel happy about the victory.
What does the poem Fearful Trip mean?
the joy. “Fearful trip” in the first line refers to the Civil War that has exhausted the whole nation which is expressed through the phrase – “weather’d every rack”.
What does the speaker feel when he sees the captain dead on the deck?
The speaker feels that it is some sort of dream watching his captain dead on the deck. Captain is motionless; his lips turn pale and cannot feel the arm of the speaker.
What is Walt Whitman's style of poetry?
His style is a close combination of transcendentalism, Indian philosophy, patriotism, love and realism. Leaves of Grass is the magnum opus of the bard with multiple revisions ever since its first publication ...
Who was Walt Whitman's captain?
Abraham Lincoln was a man Walt Whitman deeply admired and is the captain to whom Whitman refers. David Reynolds of History Now - American History Online discusses the relationship between the master poet and the fearless leader. He asserts that Whitman looked for a “Redeemer President of These States,” who would come out of the real West, ...
What does the shortened lines mean in the poem?
The shortened lines emphasize the personal grief experienced by the poet against the backdrop of a broader victory. The poem’s rhythm is created by the varying line lengths. Extended Metaphor - The captain is Abraham Lincoln. The fearful trip is the Civil War. The ship is the United States.
What is an apostrophe in a poem?
Apostrophe - an apostrophe is a form of personification in which an individual addresses someone who is dead, someone who is not there, or an inanimate object. “O Captain! My Captain!” at the start of the first two stanzas are examples of apostrophe, as is “Exult O shores, and ring O bells!” in the third stanza.
What is the fearful trip in the poem?
The fearful trip is the Civil War. The ship is the United States. The prize is the preservation of the union. The repetition of “heart” in line 5 emphasizes the poet’s grief at the death of his captain. “Fallen cold and dead” is repeated at the end of each stanza to emphasize the poet’s deep loss.
What is the progression of Stanza?
Note the progression: Stanza 1 begins with two happy couplets; Stanza 2 begins with two celebrating couplets, but something isn’t quite right as demonstrated by the off rhyme of “bells” and “trills.”. Stanza 3 re-establishes the rhyming couplet pattern, but the message is as clear as the rhyme: the captain is dead.
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 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 meter does the poet use in the poem?
Thereafter, the poet mostly uses the iambic meter in this poem. For instance, the first line is in iambic hexameter. The following two lines are in iambic heptameter. While the second quatrain does not follow a specific metrical scheme.
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.
What is the focal point of the poem at hand?
The speaker ’s coming to terms with the death of his fallen comrade is the focal point of the poem at hand. At the start of the poem, the speaker attempts to come to reality as he observes his dead captain on the deck. Slowly and gradually, he realizes that the change is permanent and life must go, regardless.