O Captain! My Captain!
Poetry
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Walt Whitman
O Captain! My Captain! Poem
O Captain! My Captain!
By Walt Whitman
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.
O Captain! m...
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O Captain! My Captain! Character
Characters
The Speaker (Poetic Persona): He is the voice of the poem. He appears like a sailor or a crew member who addresses the Captain of the ship. Although there is national joy in victory, he is personally broken with deep grief because his leader has been killed.
The Captain (Abraham Lincoln): This is a symbolic character. The Captain here represents President Abraham Lincoln. He has s...
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O Captain! My Captain! Literary Device
Symbols
Captain: The Captain is a symbol of President Abraham Lincoln. The poet imagines Lincoln as the captain of the ship. The Captain’s death represents the death of the great leader of the nation.
Ship: The ship symbolizes the United States or the whole nation. The end of the ship’s voyage means the Civil War has ended. The ship reaches the harbor safely, but the Captain is dead, so victo...
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O Captain! My Captain! Theme
Themes
Death: The central focus of this poem is the death of President Abraham Lincoln. The sailors (symbolizing the American people) see the Captain lying dead and express deep grief. The poet describes the body as “cold and dead,” which reflects the sudden shock and pain of death. Although the ship has reached the harbor, the leader is no longer alive. In the midst of victory, death overshad...
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Notes
Explore 2 detailed notes related to O Captain! My Captain!. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.