O Captain! My Captain! - Walt Whitman
[alert-success] O Captain! My Captain!
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[alert-primary] Short Summary [/alert-primary]
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First Stanza
The poet addresses Abraham Lincoln, calling him Captain of
America. The terrible Civil War (fearful trip) is over. America has
successfully passed through the dislocation caused by the Civil War. The prize
that they sought, namely, the emancipation of the negro slaves has
been won. They have reached their goal. The people are happy. They
are ringing bells, indicating their joy. They are looking at the ship (‘the
keel') that has taken part in the Civil War with grim courage.
Second Stanza
The poet realizes that what he sees is not the ship of victory but
the ship of mourning, carrying the dead body of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is
lying cold and dead on the deck. His body is still bleeding. The deck is smeared with
drops of blood.
Third Stanza
The poet speaks to
the dead body. He fancies that Lincoln is only sleeping. He tries to wake up
Lincoln, saying that the people are excitedly waving the American flag and
playing on the bugle, carrying bouquets and ribboned garlands to greet their
leader. They are milling on the shores, eagerly waiting to have a glimpse of
their victorious leader.
Fourth Stanza
The poet thinks
that the death of Lincoln is only a dream. He fancies that Lincoln is merely
sleeping. He lays his hand under Lincoln's head, in an effort to wake him and
raise him.
Final Stanza
Lincoln does not answer. He does not feel the poet's arm placed
under his head. He has no pulse. His lips are pale and still. He is surely dead.
The ship is safe arid sound. America is safe. The war has been won. But the
irony is that their leader is dead. People are shouting and singing exultantly.
But the poet is weeping, walking
round the dead body of Lincoln on the deck.
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