Write the substance and explanation of the poem entitled O Captain

Write the substance and explanation of the poem entitled O Captain ! My Captain !

Ans.

Substance of the Poem

The poem gives vent to the genuine feelings of grief of the poet at the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the American President who abolished slavery from his country. He successfully steered the ship of his country clear of the storm of Civil War. He won the desired prize of maintaining the unity of his country. But it is regretted that just as he was to be welcomed and honoured by his people, he fell victim to the assassin’s bullet. He was lying cold and dead on the deck of the ship, which he had brought out of the storm of Civil War so successfully. The poet was very sad and wished his captain to rise up and see how people were rejoicing in his victory.

Explanations

(1) O CAPTAIN | My Captain ! our fearful trip is done,

The ship was weather’d every rock, the prize we sought is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:

Reference to the Context: These lines depicting the victory obtained in Civil War on the issue of Negro slavery and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, have been extracted from the poem entitled O Captain! My Captain ! written by Walt Whitman.

The poet throws light on the out-come of American Civil War. He addresses Abraham Lincoln as captain and says that Civil War has been won. Northern States got victory and abolished slavery.

Explanation: The poet addresses Abraham Lincoln as the Captain of the ship of the country. He says that the dreadful voyage that the ship of the country undertook through the rough waters of Civil War was over. During this adventure the ship faced many difficulties and ultimately emerged victorious. The cherished goal, nearing its destination and the church bells were being rung to celebrate the victory. The people were rejoicing. The eyes of the people were following the ship that had reached the firm ground. It was no longer being tossed by the currents of the sea. The poet meant to say that the storm of Civil War was over and peace was restored in the country.

Critical Comments : 1. The poet has used the figure of speech Apostrophe.

2. The fearful trip is the Civil War between North and South.

3. The prize’ has been mentioned here as the Unity of Nation.

4. The poet has used figure of speech Metaphor. Lincoln has been imagined as the captain of a ship.

(2) But O heart! heart ! heart !

O the bleeding drops of red,

Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.

Reference to the Context: As above. The poet expresses his extreme grief experienced at the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. When soon after his victory he was cruelly assassinated.

Explanation: While expressing his intense sorrow at the cruel murder of Abraham Lincoln, the poet feels that it was an irreparable loss to the country. The poet feels heart-broken sorrow to see the drops of red blood shed by the murderer, John Wilkies Booth’s bullet. It was a very pathetic sight. The captain who had so successfully brought the ship of the country to anchor was lying lifeless and dead on the deck of that very ship. It was really an irony of fate.

Critical Comments: 1. The poet has used the figure of speech Apostrophe.

2. Super in imagery and visual depiction.

3. Poet’s heart-felt grief on the death of Lincoln and an emotional attachment to Abraham Lincoln.

4. The heart-rending death of Lincoln has been mentioned here.

(3) O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;

Rise up for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills,

For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding,

For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;

Reference to the Context: As above. The poet, addressing the dead captain, repeatedly asks to rise up and see the countrymen who are greatly eager to receive him.

Explanation: The poet addresses Abraham Lincoln as the captain and asks him to get up and see how his countrymen have come to welcome and honour him. But he was lying in his eternal sleep and could not rise up. The bells were being rung to celebrate the grand occasion. The victory flag was being unfurled to honour the victor and the bugle was being sounded to announce the celebrations of his victory. The bunches of the flowers and the flower-garlands had been brought to show him respect. A great crowd of the people gathered on the sea shore to honour its hero. They were eagerly waiting for him. They were swinging to and for with joy. There faces had curiosity and delight on them. But all their joy turned to despair just as they found their hero lying dead.

Critical Comments: 1. There is an apostrophe.

2. The poet is expressing his intense grief at the death of Abraham Lincoln.

3. The poet is presenting the atmosphere of joy and sorrow.

(4) Exult O shores, and ring O bells!

But I with mournful tread.

Walk the deck my Captain lies;

Fallen cold and dead.

Reference to the Context: As above. The poet says that no doubt the captain, Abraham Lincoln was no more yet he had accomplished his mission. Hence there was no harm in rejoicing.

Explanation: The poet addresses the shores and asks them to feel elated. The sea waves may create music by rising and falling. The bells may also go on ringing because the captain had fulfilled his mission. But the poet himself moves with sad steps towards the deck where Lincoln was lying cold and dead. In spite of allowing the shores and the bells to express joy at the grand victory in the Civil War, the poet is grief-stricken at the untimely assassination of President Lincoln.

Critical Comments: 1. The first line contains beautiful Apostrophe that is often quoted.

2. A contrasted situation has been painted here. There is the reason for the nation to be happy, but the poet would remain sorrowful due to the President’s death.

3. In the death of Lincoln the poet found the symbol for the suffering and death of so many soldiers he had himself witnessed.