Key Information:
- Title: “O Captain! My Captain!”
- Poet: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
- Published: 1865, The Saturday Press
Theme: Victory and Lose; Grief and Isolation; The Individual vs The Nation.
Literary Device: Extended Metaphor, Alliteration, Personification, Irony, Juxtaposition.
Summary
O Captain! My Captain!”, a remarkable elegy by Walt Whitman. He wrote it based on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Here the poet mourns the death of the beloved leader. Abraham Lincoln led Black Americans during the American Civil War. Poet Walt Whitman also served as a volunteer in this war. So the poet had a strong attraction toward Abraham Lincoln. And that is why the death of this leader moved the poet a lot. In the poem, the poet addresses Abraham Lincoln as Captain.
At the very beginning of the poem the poet reveals how they have come through a fearful journey. They have won their journey. At the end of that terrible voyage, they are almost at the shore, and close by they can hear the shouts of cheerful people. Just then the speaker sees their beloved captain lying frozen on the deck. Blood is dripping from the captain’s body.
In the second stanza, the poet urges the captain to wake up. He asks the captain to enjoy the sight of his victory. He also mentions that this victory flag is flying due to the immense sacrifice and dedication of the captain. Begged him to accept the bouquets and floral wishes that had been arranged for him. Now the poet addresses the captain as “Father” and lifts the captain’s head in his arms. To him, this death of the captain is like a nightmare. He can’t believe anything.
In the third stanza, the poet says that the captain is not responding to his words. His lips were pale and calm. The captain lies unconscious. That victorious ship of theirs reached the shore safely. Their fearful journey has finally been crowned with victory. Now all around is joy and happiness. But the speaker is much more grieving. He cannot enjoy this victory. He walks alone toward the dead body of the captain on the deck.
