Yet Whitman thought the praise the poem garnered was unwarranted. “O Captain! My Captain!” became an instant classic, and children were taught to recite its verses in school. While “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” has become one of Whitman’s most critically acclaimed poems, “O Captain! My Captain!,” which incorporates more conventional rhyme and meter, was by far the most popular of Whitman’s poems during his lifetime. After Robin William’s death, this poem was reminisced by many, with numerous people tweeting the poem.Written on the occasion Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, “O Captain! My Captain!” was first published in the New York Saturday Press (November 1865) and was later included, along with “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d,” in a group of poems titled “Sequel” to Drum Taps (1865). There has been much use of the poem in popular culture. Though the tone of the poem starts with a cheery and joyous mood, it shifts as they realize that, though they reached their destination and achieved what they wanted, they are now bereft of their beloved leader. However, despite everything, the ship managed to reach ashore, which proves that the war has almost come to an end, and they have achieved their ‘prize’, i.e., they have won the battle. The ‘fearful trip’ is nothing but the turmoil and bloodbath during the Civil War. An advocate of democracy, Lincoln was a much-loved leader in America. The entire poem is a metaphor that symbolizes the plight of Americans during the Civil War. Thus, amidst all the joy, there is pain for the departed in the hearts of all. In the bargain to achieve what they wanted, countless people lost their lives, and a great hero also succumbed to it. Respect and Admiration: The poem depicts the poet’s deep faith in Abraham Lincoln.Ĭelebration and Success: The poem displays how the ship has survived through all odds, and managed to reach ashore, the way all the civilians of America managed to survive the Civil War.ĭeath and Pain: Everything comes with a price, and so does victory. The martyr could not live to witness success of his dream. Lincoln’s death evidently impacted Whitman, like millions of other Americans. Though the mood is festive among the sailors, the poet has a heavy heart, and is in a dilemma whether to celebrate the achievement of their dream or mourn over the loss of their beloved captain. Just as the Civil War had almost come to an end, his captain, the president, was assassinated. His death was mourned by millions, and there were many mourning poems written in his memoir. An advocate of democracy, Whitman had deep faith in Lincoln. It depicts the successful end of the Civil War, and also the way it came to an end. This is one of the elegy poems by Whitman. This poem depicts his deep admiration for the honorable president. This poem has a rhyming pattern, which is very unusual of his other free-verse poems. Still something in his heart prays for a miracle. However, it is all in vain, as he knows that he will not respond. He calls to the captain to get up and witness their victory.
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However, as he watches the cheering crowd, his ‘father’ figure still rests lifeless in his arms. Many times he addresses the captain as his ‘father’, beckoning him to rise up and participate in the celebrations. However, their much-loved captain no longer lives to see their dream come true. He tells the captain that they’ve passed all hurdles, high tides, and achieved what they were looking for. He has lost his life in a bid to sail the ship ashore. However, their celebration is halfhearted, as their captain is cold and lifeless. In the first stanza, the poet describes the cheer, ecstasy, and celebration, because they’ve reached ashore. The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,įrom fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills,įor you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding,įor you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
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O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,