College of Education

ENG118- Survey of English and American Literature

1st Semester, AY 2023-2024
Emmanuel D. Dayalo, EdD, Course Facilitator

Activity 5

Name: Bernard B. Onasin Jr, Course/Year/Section:BSED ENGLISH 3-B.

1. Why “O Captain! My Captain!” is considered an elegy and being considered as a funeral song
by Witman to Abraham Lincoln?

After reading the historical context of the poem, I believe the poem "O Captain! My
Captain!" is considered as an elegy by Witman to Abraham Lincoln because it is said to be a
tribute of the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination in 1865. This classic poem reflects America's
overwhelming grief and trauma that followed one of the most notorious political assassinations in
United States history. Through the use of a ship metaphor (representing the United States) and its
captain (Lincoln), Whitman conveys the mixed feelings of triumph and defeat following the Civil
War. "O Captain! My Captain!" captures the collective emotions of the nation during this difficult
time.

It is also considered as a funeral song since the poem "O Captain! My Captain," captures
sorrow through its emotional tone. The elegy's reflection of the American people's grief and tribute
is deeply expressed, giving it great recognition of a funeral song. In connection with Lincoln's
funeral and written in response to his assassination, "O Captain! My Captain!" has a powerful
metaphorical representation of him as the nation's captain. It precisely conveys the nation's sense
of loss and honor over the death of their captain during this era.

2. Discuss as how the author used “Captain” in the poem. How figurative language is being used
to denote and connote the word “Captain’?

The poem "O Captain! My Captain" compares Abraham Lincoln to the captain of a ship, with
the ship itself represents the United States of America. The poem employs an extended metaphor.
In the poem, the denotative meaning of the title "Captain" refers to the person in charge of the ship
or a group, but it also connotes authority, power, and the significant obligations that come with
leadership. However, Lincoln isn't specifically mentioned in the poem by name.
When reading the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" literally, it does seem to be an ordinary story
of a Captain who effectively guides the ship into port before tragically passing away. This literal
reading sets the basis for seeing the poem as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln and the way he guided
America toward democracy and triumph.
However, the poem's true meaning emerges when one explores its secondary, connotative
meaning. This makes it clear that the poem is a symbolic representation of Lincoln's role in leading
America to the shores of freedom and victory rather than just a literal account of a captain's actions.

Accredited: Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Member: Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
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 Basically, "O Captain! My Captain!" uses metaphors to convey its meaning, both in its
denotative and connotative interpretations. This figurative language gives the poem additional
layers of emotion.

3. Discuss the tone of the author among these lines:

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, 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;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

These lines from "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman shows the escalation of tone of
the author from joyous to a sudden turn of great despair and grief. At first, he is joyful about their
triumph. You can feel the excitement and relief as the author talks to the captain and cheers on the
successful end of a tough journey. It's a moment of pure victory and happiness. But then, the tone takes
a sudden escalation. All that celebration turns into deep sadness and grief. The repetition of the phrase ,
"O heart! heart! heart!" implies his disbelief. The following lines shows the death of their captain, and
the sorrow and mourning he felt.

4. To whom do the words “Captain” and “Father” refer to in the poem?

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,…

In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" the words “Captain” and “Father” refers to Abraham
Lincoln. As it was stated that this poem is considered an elegy of Whitman to the late President, as a
heartfelt response to Lincoln's tragic assassination. He was regarded as the ship's captain because he led
the nation, "America," and safely guided the nation during Civil War.
He is also referred to as a father in the poem because he represents the father figure that America's
citizens seek in a leader during that time. Having said that, I think the words "Captain" and "Father"
refer to Abraham Lincoln.

5. As a reader, write your reflections about the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” by Whitman.

The poem “O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman is an elegy written in response to the
death of their late president Abraham Lincoln. It is a representation of the author and nation’s grief and
pain over the loss of their leader. Going back, the poem explores a variety of themes that shows the
emotions present in the poem. As I read the poem, I have learned a lot of things.

Firstly, I believe that the author has an intense amount of admiration for his captain, that’s why
the pain he felt is also immense. The captain is Abraham Lincoln, the fearful trip is the civil war, the
ship is the United States and the prize is the preservation of the union. As I analyze the poem, I believe
it is about the death of the Captain and what he did. The captain lead his people through a fearful trip
and towards victory. He did not get to witness the cheering people on the shores or the ringing of the
bells. The captain risked his own life but it was for the greater good and everyone will miss him.

Accredited: Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Member: Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)
 I

can say that I am really emotionally attached to this poem. There are several reasons that this poem had
impacted me. My father which I consider as the captain of my ship had also passed, and the pain I’ve
felt after that is immense. However, unlike the speaker on the poem, I am still here in this ship roaming
in the middle of the sea without a navigator, without a guide. I’ve also lost one of my companion
which is my brother. This is why the journey had been so challenging, but the good news is that I have
hopes that someday, somehow, this terrifying journey will lead me to a prize I sought, just like the
speaker in the poem.

My price is yet to come, since my fearful trip is not yet done. I will still face a lot of challenges, that
will come along with this journey. It's unfortunate that my captain won't be able to hear the sound of
bells and cheers, but I won't let this hinder me; rather, I'll use it as fuel to achieve the prize of which
I've always dreamed. I believe this trip will be worth it someday, and I shall face my captain and my
companion with a great smile, and story.

Accredited: Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Member: Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)