Explain the poem , ‘ O Captain! My Captain! in your own words. Also mention the poet and the figures of speech used in the poem.
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Answer:
If we define a figure of speech as figurative language, the poem includes metaphor and personification.
In Whitman's 1865 poem, Whitman metaphorically compares late president Abraham Lincoln to the "captain" of a "ship" that has weathered storms ("every rack") and battles, a metaphor for America during the Civil War. The poem's first stanza begins with the ship approaching port with the captain fallen dead on the deck. Since Lincoln was assassinated five days after the surrender at Appomattox, the ship is meant to metaphorically represent America heading home to its reunification after the many battles of the war, without its commander-in-chief.
In the third and final stanza, the ship has made it safely to port, but without its commanding officer alive to savor the moment of victory. Crowds gather to greet the ship, bells ring, wreaths and bouquets are offered, but even though the crowds call for the captain, he cannot hear them or share in their celebration, just as Lincoln was unable to greet the reunified nation he had steered through four years of war.
Using personification, Whitman's speaker walks with "mournful tread" because he cannot leave his beloved "captain." Still, he urges, "Exult, O shores," as he acknowledges that the country is entitled to celebrate the "victor ship" that brought the "object won"—the reunification of the country.
Appropriate Question :
- Summary of O Captain! My Captain! also mention the poet and the figures of speech used in the poem.
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Summary
The captain and and the people were celebrating the safe and successful return to their ships and mourning the loss of its greater. In the first stanza, the speaker's express his wishing the dead man relief that the ship has reached it's home port at last and describes hearing people cheering. Despite the celebrations on land and the successful voyage, the speaker revels that his captain's dead body is lying on the deck.
In the second stanza, the speaker implores the Captain to "rise up and hear the bells" wishing the dead man could witness the elation. Everyone adored the Captain and the speaker admits that his death feels like a horrible dreams.
In the last Stanza, the speaker just poses his feelings of mourning and pride.
The Poet
Walt Whitman was the poet of this poem.
The Figure of Speech
The Figure of Speech used in this poem are: 1. Metaphor 2. Personification 3. Imagery 4. Alliteration 5. Repetition.