One can surmise that these are an expression of the internal conflict of joy and sorrow that Whitman and many other Americans felt at the time of the end of the Civil War and of Abraham Lincoln’s death. He expresses that he could not join in the celebration of the voyage’s success because the Captain is dead, expressing once more the narrator’s sorrowful resignation and acceptance of the painful truth. Instead of jubilation, the end of the voyage was just an end, solemnly being described as “closed and done”. The last four lines describe the narrator’s final thoughts and feelings. MOURNFUL= Feeling or expressing sorrow or grief sorrowful. The Captain’s “lips are pale and still”, he “has no pulse nor will”. This is done by describing in more detail the indications of death. The third stanza is a painful effort by the poet to force himself further to accept the reality of his leader’s death. PALE AND STILL= Pallid, of a colour whitish and motionless, quiet. The word “father” also describes the leader’s qualities in relation to his followers, and implies caring, responsibility, magnanimity, strength, and wisdom. The word “father” also reflects Abraham Lincoln’s role as the “father” of the Union. HERE CAPTAIN! DEAR FATHER!= He refers to the Captain as “father”, which represents the poet’s deep respect for his leader. Bouquets and wreathes are also common to both celebratory receptions and funerals.ĮAGER= Having or showing keen interest, intense desire, or impatient expectancy. WREATH= A garland or a circlet of flowers, boughs, or leaves worn on the head. It alludes to both military victory and to the requiem traditionally played at funerals of fallen soldiers.īOUQUET= A small cluster or arrangement of flowers. THE FLAG IS FLUNG= The flag is flown in honor of the Captain both as a symbol of rejoicing and victory and as a symbol of lamentation.īUGLE= A brass wind instrument somewhat shorter than a trumpet and lacking keys or valves. O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!= He desperately tries to achieve the Captain comes alive again by offering him the promise of euphoria of the people’s celebration at the shore to which the Captain was returning.īELLS= Are presumably the bells rung in celebration of military victory however, knowing the great Captain and leader has died the bells might also symbolize funeral bells. The narrator suddenly reveals that the Captain is dead and how devastating this is -"fallen cold and dead". KEEL= The principal structural member of a ship, running lengthwise along the center line from bow to stern, to which the frames are attached.īUT O HEART! HEART! HEART!= A heartbreaking imploration for the Captain to come alive again, expressing the poet’s refusal to accept his leader’s death.īLEEDING= Bloody, suggesting the color of blood. SOUGHT= (seek-sought-sought) To endeavor, to obtain or reach. The preservation and victory of the Union is a “prize” that was won. PRIZE= Something offered as an award for superiority or victory. WEATHERED= Worn, stained, or warped by or as if by exposure to weather. The Civil War is described as a “fearful trip”. OUR FEARFUL TRIP IS DONE= The poem’s opening tells of the Captain’s success in leading his ship through a long and gruelling voyage. 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 ribboned 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 weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done
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