The first extended metaphor is “Captain,” used in the first line that runs throughout the poem. Metaphor: There are three extended metaphors in the poem.Whitman, too, has enriched this poem, using following literary devices. With the help of literary devices, the authors equip their simple texts with powerful impacts on their readers. Literary devices serve as a tool to project hidden meanings in the text. Analysis of the Literary Devices in “O Captain! My Captain!” Although the fearful trip ends, bells ring, the captain is no more to enjoy the victory. Each stanza gives us a clue about the war. 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. The speaker admires his captain for the victory they have won together. Major Themes: The poem comprises sentiments of the speaker at the demise of his captain. However, what stays in the mind of the readers is the speaker’s passionate expression of his love for his dead captain. The expression of mourning and grief mark the center of the poem. Whitman used very strong figurative language throughout the poem to express his respect and to mourn the loss of Abraham Lincoln. “O Captain! My Captain!” as an Elegy: This poem is written in the form of an elegy meaning a funeral song. Since then, it has gained a lot of popularity across the globe on account of its artistic merit. This poem, having historical value, was written as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, the American President, whom Whitman used to admire. It was first published in 1865 in a pamphlet named Sequel to Drum-Taps. 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. The ship is anchor’d 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, Whitman became so identified with the poem that late in lie he remarked, 'Damn my Captain.I'm almost sorry I ever wrote the poem.O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, Unusually for Whitman, the poem has a regular rhyme scheme, 'O Captain! 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. The third stanza begins in a somber mood as the poet finally accepted that the Captain is dead and gone. The sailor looks at the fallen comrade and wishes this nightmare was just a dream. The crowd is jubilant as they celebrate using a number of devices such as raising flag in victory, holding flowers and cheering for the captain. The people ashore await their prized captain to lead the way and stamp his mark on history. In the second stanza the sailor implores the now dead captain to rise from the dead. As the ship draws near the harbour, the poem takes on a dark turn - the heart is shattered and torn over the death of the ship's captain. Exhausted after a tiresome journey, the mission has been a success. The ship after enduring tough storms and strong winds made it back to the dock. In the first stanza, the speaker shouts with excitement to the ship's captain about making it home safe and sound. The poem is classified as an elegy or mourning poem, and was written to honour Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. Walt Whitman (1819-1892) composed the poem 'O Captain! My Captain!' after Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865.

O captain my captain